The room was filled with the smell of fresh food. Though there was a chill in the air, there was also the feeling that a festival had just occurred. The large table revealed the remnants of a vast dinner. Around the table sat a small collection of men, each of them dressed in the finest of garments. The high collars were embroidered with gold designs, some even had gems sparkling in the faint light.

"This has gone on long enough," declared one of the men at the table as he looked to his audience for support.

"But what can be done?" came a faint voice at the opposite end of the room.

"We cannot possibly contest his will. The Tsar will not hear of it," another voice spoke up.

"Nor the Tsarina," laughed another man nearest the first speaker.

"It is through her that he has his power," the original man announced.

"It is through the boy that he has his power," contested another. He then continued, "He cured him of his disease. He has done what Doctors could not. They say the hand of God works in him."

"Hand of Satan more likely," rebutted the original. "We must put a stop to this madness."

"When he was cast out before, the disease returned and the boy was weak. What can we do?"

"If the boy is too weak to lead then he will not lead. There are others."

There was a long silence. Many had thoughts against the throne, but some wanted to go too far for your everyday treason.

The speaker continued, "I am not saying revolution. I am speaking of the family. There are others besides the Tsaravich that could rule. Perhaps Nicholas will have another child. I am strictly opposing the meddling hand of this uncouth animal that pulls their strings now."

"I agree!" chanted one of the other men.

"It is agreed then. We end his influence and we end it soon." There was a sinister look that crept across his face as he drank another swig from his shot glass.

***

"I still cannot believe it, Barbara." The man walked around the metropolitan blue police box as if in total awe.

"What do you mean, Ian?" She smiled as she watched him circle the Police box one more time. "After all we have been through and you still question it." She smiled at his stubborn adherence to what they had both once thought of as facts.

"Yes, yes, but isn't it still incredible?" He stopped for a moment and looked at her.

"It is, but at the same time, I would like to get home."

"I am not so sure she is up for it."

"She?" Barbara looked at him with a bewildered face.

"Yes, I think the ship here has a mind of its own, regardless of what the Doctor might think," Ian said, as he looked back at the police box.

"Poppycock, dear boy!" came a disgruntled remark from within the police box. "The TARDIS is a machine and nothing more."

Shortly after he appeared a young girl followed suit. "But Grandfather, the TARDIS did just save our lives."

"Part of the safety mechanisms, my child. Do not get so sentimental over such things." He frowned slightly as he looked into her face. He then looked over her outfit and smiled. "Nicely done my dear. At least some of us will fit in around here." He then gave a slight look out of the corner of his eye at Ian and then Barbara. "Hmmm?"

"Alright, Doctor. We can take a hint." Ian then looked to Barbara and said, "Come along, let's change into something a bit more fitting." His mild charm was apparent.

"Grandfather, where do you think we are?" Susan inquired.

"Where is most probably Earth somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere." He pointed to the dimming sky which was revealing the faint glow of stars. He then continued, "But when...that is of more interest."

"I thought you said it was the early 1900s." Her voice revealed a slight question.

"The TARDIS is acting rather peculiarly after our last little adventure. It places us sometime in the 1910s, but I am not so certain." He looked around and tried to take in his surroundings.

"1910s?" came Barbara's voice in surprise as she emerged from behind the TARDIS followed by Ian. "I thought you said that we were in the post-war years."

"Every year is post-war depending on which war, my dear. Hmm?" He smiled at his answer.

Ian then looked over himself and Barbara and said, "I guess it's back to the drawing board then." Barbara was wearing a plain gold coloured dress with a short collar, hemline just below the knee, and he was wearing a rather dapper suit with a nice bowler hat.

Before he could turn around and return to the TARDIS for another change of clothes, the Doctor replied, "Nevermind that, there are more interesting things than clothes to concern ourselves with here." He then wandered off down a narrow trail.

Barbara and Ian looked at each other for a moment.

"Do we even know what is over the next hill?" Barbara was concerned.

"Do we ever?" Ian chuckled as he walked after the Doctor and Susan.

The Doctor and Susan had disappeared behind some trees just beyond the hill. "I suppose we are going to find out what is on the other side of your hill, Barbara." Ian looked back at her and she smiled. They marched on.

As they came over the hill, they found a cobble-stoned road.

"You see, a harmless thorough-fare," the Doctor chuckled at the others' paranoia.

"Which way, Grandfather?" Susan chimed in to interrupt any conflict that might be brewing.

"I would imagine we should go that way," he said, pointing in the distance toward what looked like a city.

They continued on. Barbara looked around her until finally Ian asked, "What's the matter, Barbara? You act as if you were worried about something."

"That's just it. I get the feeling someone is watching us. I don't know why, but I get a slight -"

"Oh nonsense, my dear," the Doctor interrupted as he stopped for a moment to catch his breath.

****

The room was dark and quiet. The only light came from candles that were placed throughout the room. The evening was beginning and there was more than a chill filling the room. There was a very ornate bed in the centre of the room. It was covered with a thin netting through which the outline of a young boy could be seen.

At the bedside, there was a man kneeling. He was praying. His dark robe covered his body so that all one could see was his hands and his face. His face was covered by a thick beard and his hair hid almost everything else.

Over the head of the bed a plaque containing the family crest was pinned to the wall. Within the silver-carved crest a two-headed eagle appeared as if struggling to break free from it's bonds.

***

Barbara was still not comforted by the Doctor's overly confident response. She looked to Ian for support. She knew he could sense it too. He had to. It was so obvious, she thought. He smiled in return.

"I just have a feeling," she said in justification of her fear.

No sooner had she voiced her thought than a small group of soldiers appeared around them. Each of them carried a rifle levelled in their direction.

The Doctor raised his handkerchief to his mouth to muffle a faint cough.

"I see what you mean, Barbara," the Doctor replied as if he had heard her previous conversation. He looked at their captors.

"These are the devils that appeared from the air. They came out of a blue coffin that appeared out of no where," decreed one of the frightened soldiers.

"Coffin?" Susan questioned.

"The TARDIS, Susan," Ian responded.

"You shall pay the penalty for your betrayal!" One of the guards glowed with excitement at the idea of torturing the new prisoners. He edged forward. Ian grabbed his rifle and began struggling for control of the weapon as another guard grabbed Susan by the wrist and pulled her near. The Doctor tried to intervene but was thrown to the ground. Ian ripped the rifle from his opponent and then looked at the three remaining soldiers. As he did, the soldier on the ground appeared to start convulsing.

"He has placed a demon in him!" declared one as he began to step back in fear.

The one holding Susan did the same as he dropped his grip. She ran to the Doctor.

"Grandfather!" she said concerned.

"It's all right my dear. Let me have a look at him," he said as he struggled to his feet and made his way over to the soldier that lay on the ground vibrating.

"It looks like some sort of attack. I think we can stabilise him if we can just get him to calm down." He then looked at the guards that were now at the point of running for fear of sorcery. "Has he ever done this before?" The Doctor looked at each of them until finally one of them spoke out.

"Once that I know of and I promised not to tell anyone. We went through training together and he was startled by an explosion."

"We need to calm him down. So stay back." The Doctor looked to Ian to keep the order as he grabbed the man's head in his hands. There was a silence in the cold night air that was masked by the heartbeats of those around them. It was a silence between them. The Doctor stared into the man's eyes as they seemed to rattle around as if the iris had decided that it had no allegiance to the man's brain. It was a baby's rattle. As the Doctor continued to look into his eyes, they stabilised and the man became much like a baby as he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again they looked straight into the Doctor's eyes and now they were filled with fear, but this time one that was controlled. He scrambled to his feet and behind his standing allies. They looked at him and then back to the Doctor.

"You are a healer?" one spoke.

"In a manner, I suppose I am."

"But you are not like him."

"Who?" Both Ian and the Doctor collided in their immediate response.

"Surely you jest. Rasputin, of course."

Barbara looked at Ian as she realised their place in history. "The monk... Rasputin?" she attempted to confirm.

"Who else, my lady?" came a response.

The Doctor looked at Barbara for a moment and smiled. "Professional interest?"

"Could we meet him?" Susan asked innocently.

"I am certain his Holiness will be interested in another healer," smiled the guard that appeared to be in charge now.

The others looked to him for a moment and then back at the Doctor.

***

"What do you mean they healed Ivan?" asked a man in rather regal attire. His cloak was fastened by the seal of a double-headed eagle.

"He was able to lay his hands upon the boy and remove the demons. We saw him with our own eyes." The guard standing next to him nodded his affirmation.

The man paused for a moment as he absorbed the recent news.

"You say he is an old man?"

"Yes. And they wear strange clothes. They claim that they are from London and are travellers."

"Foreign influences..." The man smiled again. "You are dismissed." He raised his hand and issued them leave.

Out of the shadows in the far corner of the room a man appeared.

"You see they are devils. Just like that other spawn of Satan," he commented. "They are part of his kind. By God I hope this will convince his Highness of that creatures plans."

"On the contrary, Dmitri," responded Vladimir, as he looked at his ally in treason. "Don't you see?" Vladimir continued to smirk as he envisioned his plan coming to fruition.

"What do you suggest?"

"We now have the answer to both of our problems. We want his Highness free of the demon's grip and we also want to freely dispose of the demon as we would any other traitor."

Dmitri looked on still confused by Vladimir's half message.

"We allow this Doctor into the Tsar's good graces and he can then offer the healing that Rasputin now offers. Then we will be able to build our case against the monk. It will not take long once his Highness realises that he can survive without that meddlesome monk."

"But what of the Tsarina? She will certainly not allow Rasputin to be deposed."

"Oh but she will. If this Doctor is as you say he is, how can she refuse him? By not accepting the Doctor she would be virtually admitting to infidelity to the Tsar. So you see she cannot refuse the Doctor." His smile grew.

"And then we dispose of Rasputin?"

"In whatever manner we see fit," laughed Vladimir.

"And what of the Doctor and his friends?"

"Once Rasputin is removed we can expose them as foreign spies. Why else would Londoners be in St Petersburg at the beginning of winter?"

***

"Tsar Nicholas will see you now," announced a rather ornately dressed civil servant.

"This is amazing, Ian. Emperor Nicholas the Second." Barbara was overcome with excitement. Images of long winter nights and a lost era of the Russian Monarchy flooded into her head. She had a professor once who had a strange obsession with Pre-Revolution Russia. What had happened to the Royal family? And Rasputin? The man often described as the cause of many of Russia's ills in its waning years. Was he really that? She was here... The momentary thought of where they were now seemed to out-shine any of the dark shadows that a corridor on Skaro could ever create. This was history. This was real. She took it all in as she watched the others. They seemed so distant. She knew it wasn't a dream, but at the same time it felt so unreal.

"Doctor, what should we do?"

"Act accordingly. Show respect to the royalty and proper place in society. Act like a prince and be treated as one."

The Doctor responded rather pompously as he raised his head and walked into the Meeting Hall.

Susan looked at Ian and Barbara and smiled. "I am not so sure I feel like royalty."

"I know what you mean," Ian laughed.

The meeting hall was enormous. There was a great window on the far wall that seemed to allow the early glimpses of moonlight in. The silhouettes of snow could be seen falling. Barbara began to wonder what exact year this was. This was winter, that was for certain, but was this the beginning, middle or end of Nicholas' reign? She thought back to the early 1900's and the Russo-Japanese War that had offered a shocking blow to a Western power. Not just a Western power, but the sleeping bear. Humiliation was the only word that came to mind. Then she saw him.

"He looks much older than I would have thought. If this is the 1910's then he should only be in his forties," Barbara commented. She thought regal, but aged. The seal of the Romanov dynasty stood behind him on the wall. There was something tattered about it. It seemed almost ready to fall from it's holding.

"Leadership can do that to a person," the Doctor offered.

"Welcome, Doctor." The Tsar smiled as he extended his hand into the air with a sense of pomp. "I understand that you have travelled a great distance to visit the people of Russia." He then surveyed the small group before continuing, "May I inquire as to the purpose of your journey?"

"Certainly. We are travellers and we thought that there would be no better time to visit St Petersburg than in the famous Russian winter."

"Some would say it is much too harsh for Westerners."

"Some would fail to see the beauty in a long winter's night," the Doctor smiled as he lowered his head.

"Doctor. We are all friends here. No need for cordiality. You healed one of my soldiers and for this I am thankful." He then looked to a house servant and said, "Bring our guests some wine." The servant scurried off.

The Tsar then looked beyond the Doctor and Ian at a figure that entered the room.

"This is Vladimir. He informed me of your noble act in saving my guard."

"He would have been fine with a little rest and relaxation. I just helped the process," the Doctor explained humbly.

"Perhaps the good Doctor could look at the Tsaravich."

"I do not know if I would be of much help there." The Doctor looked to Barbara knowing she would understand.

"He suffers from haemophilia," Barbara mumbled to Ian.

"I remember from my history lessons," he smiled sadly.

A door opened on the side of the chamber hall and a dark robed figure entered.

"I would let his Highness rest. He is very tired after our cleansing." His voice was solemn. He glided across the floor to stand next to the Tsar. "Welcome your Highness," he nodded in the direction of Vladimir. If not for the soothing sound of his voice one might suspect he was mocking him.

"Your Holiness," responded Vladimir as he returned the nod.

"I understand you are a doctor from London." Rasputin looked at the Doctor.

"Yes."

"We recently arrived," offered Ian in hopes of breaking what he was beginning to feel was a tense situation.

Rasputin stared onward at the Doctor, who returned his look in kind. Rasputin's eyes revealed a strength that the others seemed to lack. The Tsar's were weary and tired and Vladimir seemed nervous at best.

"I think his Holiness is correct. I should not bother the Tsaravich. He needs his rest."

"Perhaps tomorrow after you have all had time to relax and get more acclimatised," smiled Vladimir and he exited the room.

"He seems rather eager to have the Doctor's help," Susan commented to Barbara.

"That was a bit strange," Barbara whispered back.

"I too shall retire," the Tsar announced. He looked to the servant again that had procured the wine earlier. "Show them to their rooms."

***

Barbara looked to Susan as they prepared for bed. "Rasputin seems a bit strange, but not the evil man that I have read about. He seems almost...well, homely." She paused for a second and then whispered, "But he certainly could use a bath!" She smiled.

"Grandfather always says, never believe everything you read."

The two were just getting into bed when there was a knock upon the door.

***

"I think we need to find our way out of here as soon as we can, Mr Chesterton," the Doctor said rather worriedly.

"They all seem nice enough, Doctor," Ian said as he sat down on his bed.

"They do indeed, but that worries me. I mean, why would that Vlad... what's his name want me to help him with the boy? If I remember correctly, he was part of the assassination plot."

"To kill Nicholas?" Ian was astonished.

"No, no, no, my boy, to kill Rasputin." The Doctor thought for a moment.

"Why would he want to kill him? I thought Rasputin was helping the prince."

"Helping himself to stay in power, some thought. There is a power struggle going on here. Right beneath our noses." He tapped the edge of his nose and then continued, "and I think it is best if we don't lose them."

"Our noses?"

"That along with the rest of our heads!" the Doctor quipped.

"So much for the beautiful Russian winter, eh Doctor?" Ian smiled as he lay down.

Just moments before his head hit the pillow, there was a scream. "That was Barbara!" Ian bolted out of his bed and down the hall. He had not had any time to put anything on his feet and soon realised that the Russian winter also meant freezing stone floors.

As he opened the door he saw Barbara standing in a panic. "They burst in and took her. I could not stop them." She pointed at Susan's empty bed.

The Doctor arrived behind Ian and commented, "You see, my boy. There is more going on here that it would seem." He watched as Ian raced passed him to inspect the hall outside. But there was nothing there other than his breath.

***

"Your Highness, someone has abducted my granddaughter right here on your very estate," the Doctor pleaded with the half-awakened Tsar.

"What sort of security do you have on this place?" Ian exclaimed, knowing the answer.

"The best," returned a half-hearted response.

"It must have been someone from within these walls." said Barbara. "They were wearing the same guards' uniform that we saw earlier."

"Never. All of my men are loyal and would never do anything to harm my guests," he rebuked her.

"Then what of Rasputin?" Ian asked.

"I was at the bedside of his Highness," came the calm voice from behind them. Everyone turned with a slight startle.

"It is true. I was with him at my son's side," came a female voice from behind him. It was the Tsarina. She emerged from the darkness still clothed in regal beauty.

"Then who was it?" the Doctor declared as he began to lose his temper.

"I understand your frustration, I will send for my best men to investigate immediately."

The Doctor paused for a moment and then looked around. "I would like to search the area as well if your Highness does not object?"

"Not at all." The Tsar looked to his servant and said, "Please show the Doctor wherever he needs to go."

"Yes Sir."

"I am coming with you, Doctor," Ian stepped forward.

"Stay with Barbara. No need in all of us getting mixed up in this." He then lowered his voice and added, "besides, I think I have a better chance of finding Susan without you. It's me that they want."

"Whatever you say." Ian backed away and looked at Barbara who still appeared frightened.

"What was that about?" Barbara had noticed the silent conversation.

"I'll tell you later." He then looked to Nicholas and announced, "I think we will retire to our rooms. This has shaken us all up quite a bit."

"I understand." Nicholas seemed to feel their distress. He seemed to almost absorb it as he offered them leave.

***

"I wish to see Vladimir," the Doctor declared to the guard that was escorting him around the royal habitat. Not more than two seconds after making his request, the guard opened a door that revealed a man standing at a large window overlooking St Petersburg.

"Doctor. I think we need to talk," came a voice out of the shadows. Steam rose out of the mouth and seemed to hang in the air around the speaker's head. He turned. It was Vladimir. He looked at the Doctor and seemed to have a confidence he had not expressed in the presence of the Tsar.

"A bit old for all this running around in shadows, you know?" the Doctor responded grumpily.

Vladimir suppressed his laughter as he began to talk. "Doctor, I wish to offer you a proposal."

"I do not deal with kidnappers and common criminals. Release Susan to me or I shall call the Imperial guard on you." His voice began to rise, but was falling on deaf ears.

"Doctor, I have never made the claim that I had your friend." He approached the Doctor and offered a slight smile. "But I do have influence in many circles that even the Tsar does not. I could possibly see it fit to have my sources contact those that would know of your friend's kidnapping and negotiate a release."

"What do you want from me?" The Doctor was far from calm. His hands were shaking.

"The Russian winter can be harsh, especially for those from London."

"I am not shaking because of the rather soothing air. It is your arrogance at assuming that I am as big a fool as your other rivals are. I demand the return of Susan with no questions asked." He was calming down physically but his tone was far from relaxed.

"You see, I need you, Doctor. We need someone of your ... talents around here."

"Talents? What talents?"

"A healer."

"What about -" The Doctor was cut off.

"Not that charlatan of a man. You and I both know he is here for one reason, power. Or two, if you are of those that believe in the infidelity of the Tsarina."

"And you?"

"I do not care about the Tsarina. She does not rule. Perhaps I should say that she should not rule. It is Nicholas that I am worried about. He is influenced by advice from other sources."

"I suppose someone like yourself could lead the Tsar to a greater day," the Doctor responded with sarcasm.

"In much the same way as the nobles of your country led the monarchy to greater days. We are not as barbaric as you might believe from a distance."

"On the contrary, I have a disturbing feeling you are just as enlightened as the rest of the modern world."

"Your despair is noted, but does not change the situation." Vladimir smiled awaiting the Doctor's next move.

"There is nothing I can do for the Tsaravich."

"Then it is a pity." Vladimir turned his back and looked out at the moonlit sky again.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Who knows what could happen to your granddaughter on a cold Russian night." He was calmly awaiting the response.

"What is it I must do?"

"Heal the Tsaravich."

"I do not think I can do that. Regardless of what harm does or does not come to Susan."

"I simply ask that you help to the best of your abilities." He turned to face the Doctor. "Do we have a deal, Doctor?"

"I will do what I can," the Doctor replied with his hands holding his lapel as the moonlight glimmered in his eyes.

***

"What is the Doctor up to, Ian?" Barbara was concerned most for Susan and then secondarily for the fact that things seemed to be taking place at a rather rapid pace around her. Who knows what year this is, she thought. They could be at the eve of revolution. Then it struck her, what if Susan was to be the first casualty of that war? She thought of all the history courses she had been through and never once considered the possibility that one of her students might actually experience something that she had first learned and then taught. It was mind-boggling. She continued to look at Ian who was pacing the floor.

"I think he knows who the kidnappers are. I am just trying to think through this." He looked around the room before continuing, "You said that they came in and were dressed as the other guards?"

"Yes, they simply burst in and grabbed her."

"But the Doctor and I were here within minutes and we had alerted the Tsar shortly thereafter."

"Yes?" Barbara was getting confused.

"Don't you see? Susan is still here somewhere. There is no way they could have taken her out of the palace."

The door opened as if on command and the Doctor entered with a response. "Excellent deduction my friend." He looked around the room rather arrogantly before continuing, "and I think it is about time you found out where."

"Doctor!" Barbara was excited to see his return.

"It will all be alright. I think I have bought Susan, and ourselves, some time."

"How do you mean?" Ian inquired.

"Well, it would seem that the kidnappers would like me to perform certain services in exchange for Susan's freedom. "

"Services?" Barbara quizzed.

"They want me to heal the Tsaravich of his haemophilia and thus oust Rasputin from his position here at the palace."

"But can we do that?" Barbara was concerned. "I mean, what would that do for history? The history we remember."

"That is an excellent observation, my dear, one I hope you do not forget. Though it is often times hard to see the forest for the trees."

"So what do we do, Doctor?" Ian eagerly awaited orders.

The Doctor smiled.

***

Rasputin sat with his hands floating over the Tsaravich's body as if seeking out his ailments. Every once in a while he would pause and his face would reveal a slight strain, as if he were feeling the pain of the boy. In the background, the Tsarina stood, helpless but hopeful. She had lived with that hope all her child's life. The curse of being born into nobility she thought.

Rasputin mumbled something as the boy seemed to arch his body. "We must let him rest. Tomorrow he will be better."

"But will he ever truly be well?"

"If the lord sees it is so, then yes. Come." He exited the room as she looked after her son.

***

In the large hall outside, the Doctor stood cloaked is a similar robe to that of Rasputin's.

"Doctor, I am flattered," came the monotone voice of Rasputin with the slight sign of a smile in his face.

"What is the meaning of this?" the Tsarina was concerned. She had heard from her husband that this man was a healer, but a holy man as well? Any deviation from the expected, frightened her.

"I wish to assist you in attempting to heal your son. I must speak with Rasputin alone."

"Go, my sweet," he calmly announced, as the Tsarina disappeared down the corridor toward her chambers.

"Doctor, I do not know what can be done for the boy other than what I have already done."

"I can do nothing for his Highness more than offer you support and ask for your assistance when the time comes." The Doctor lowered his voice as he took Rasputin by the arm and entered the Tsaravich's room. Once the door closed behind them, he continued. "My granddaughter has been kidnapped."

"I am aware of the tragedy, but I must assure you that I have had nothing to do with her disappearance." His voice was deep.

The Doctor looked at the poor boy and then back to Rasputin. "Yes, I am aware of the fact. In order to save her, however, I need you to make an announcement to the nobles that I will be performing a healing ritual on the Tsaravich over the next few hours. During that time, I need you to perform that healing."

"I do not understand, Doctor. I believe that you are a great healer, as I am myself. Why do we not work together on curing the boy?"

"I cannot do any more than I have. I must retrieve my granddaughter and return home as soon as possible."

"I do understand the tie of family. This is my family. I shall warn the Tsarina and Tsar of our facade and then make the announcement."

The Doctor smiled as he raised his hood over his head.

Rasputin left the room as the Doctor looked over the boy.

"Hmm..."

***

Ian and Barbara had nearly covered every room along their corridor and found nothing but empty guest rooms.

"How can a palace have so many empty rooms?" Barbara was amazed.

"Off-season?" Ian responded whimsically.

"I'll say."

The air was still frigid. Some of the rooms had open windows that offered nothing but cold blasts as they opened them. They continued. Some were ornate and obviously coated for royalty. As they continued down the corridor, there was laughter from behind one of the doors.

Ian grabbed Barbara and ducked into the shadowy alcove as the door opened. Barbara saw his face. It was one of the men who had grabbed Susan. She nodded to Ian. They then waited until he was out of sight and they no longer heard him. Ian then rushed out to the door and listened for a sound from behind it. There was nothing. He then went to open the door slowly. As he did, he found Susan tied and gagged on a bed in the corner. Her eyes lit up with joy at their arrival. No sooner had the excitement appeared than it was replaced by panic.

"Look out, Ian!" Barbara exclaimed as the guard had apparently returned silently.

The guard delivered a blow to Ian but before he could direct another Barbara found a large vase which she crashed over his head. He fell to the ground unconscious. They then quickly untied and ungagged Susan who thanked them both before saying, "Where is Grandfather?"

"If all is well, then he is about to be sneaking out the back door."

"How do you mean?'

"Come on, we will discuss it later."

"Yes, we need to get out of here, before the other one returns," Barbara declared, remembering that the other had been a bit more intimidating than the one which was now on the floor.

Susan agreed and the three raced off down the corridor.

***

The Tsar stood with the Tsarina at his left and smiled at the nobles around the dinning hall. "I am pleased to announce that our new friend the Doctor will be assisting us in seeking a cure for our ailing son."

Vladimir smiled slightly as he looked toward Dmitri. Dmitri looked nervous at first but as the Tsar continued to speak about the Doctor and his healing abilities it was as if he found himself healed of the sins he had committed and would soon commit.

"I would like to thank their Highnesses for this opportunity to bring a calm to their troubled son's life," the Doctor spoke. "I will need total isolation for at least six hours while I will endeavour to bring about the healing process that you have witnessed previously." He looked at Rasputin before continuing. "I will only be assisted by Rasputin in the initial stages, as he is most experienced with the Tsaravich. He will then leave us in isolation."

"A toast, to the Doctor!" Vladimir raised his wineglass as he looked around the room.

"A toast!" echoed the Tsar.

The Doctor bowed his head as did Rasputin and then the two simultaneously raise their hoods over their heads and turned to enter the Tsaravich's chamber.

Once inside, they removed their hoods and the Doctor extended his arm to shake Rasputin's.

"Must you leave now, Doctor? I feel there is much to learn from you."

"If everything has gone according to my plan then my friends will be awaiting my return just outside the city. I wish there was more that I could do for you and for this young boy, but I think you and I both know he is weak."

"He is a living symbol of the times we live in, Doctor."

"Wise words."

"I am no fool, Doctor. I only hope that like other things in this world, this symbol has a rebirth and we can once again be a noble and proud people."

"I am sure you will, as will all of Russia."

"Thank you, Doctor. Now go. Return to your friends and I will look to the Tsaravich."

With that final goodbye, the Doctor raised his hood over his head and exited the chamber.

***

Out in the open hall, Vladimir was speaking to the Tsar and paused to observe the emergence of the robed figure.

"My dear, Rasputin, is the Doctor settled?" Vladimir was suspicious.

"He is a living symbol of the times we live in," came the monotone voice of Rasputin.

Vladimir smiled at the comfort of hearing Rasputin's voice. The plan was coming together.

"Then I look forward to seeing what powers this Doctor has over the ill."

"There is much to learn." Raspuin's voice halted abruptly as he walked out of the room.

Vladimir looked to Dmitri and smiled before giving him a slight nod. Then Dmitri disappeared down the corridor toward the room which had once held Susan. In his hand he revealed a small knife. As he turned the corner he noticed that the door was ajar and he could see the smashed vase on the floor next to the guard's body. He panicked.

***

As the Doctor came over the hill, he could see the faint glimmering of light landing around him. Ian, Susan and Barbara had made it to the TARDIS. He could see them not too far ahead of him. They were not yet aware that he had made it out so easily. Under his arm he carried his robes as he continued down the hill toward the TARDIS.

The Doctor looked out over the night sky. It had been a long night and the dawn was breaking. He knew that even though the physical dawn was arising the true darkness was about to descend on the land. It would be a darkness covered in blood as so many others had been before this one. Perspective, he thought, perspective. He then turned and entered the TARDIS. The TARDIS began to shimmer in the cold December night air. There was a sound of wind and then it was gone.

***

EPILOGUE

Rasputin smiled eagerly. He adored Felix's wife. She was certainly a beauty to be observed. He followed Felix's manservant through the vast hall of Yusupovsky Palace. It was not as ornate as the Imperial Palace of the Tsar, but it was no Siberian villager's home either. Rasputin was nostalgic for a moment. He had come so far.

"Where is the lovely lady of the house?" he spoke softly as the servant led the way.

"His lordship wishes to partake of wine and nourishment before your introduction to the lady of the house."

"A man after my own heart," chuckled Rasputin.

"This way, sir." He directed Rasputin down a narrow passageway to the cellar entrance.

"Ah, the wine cellar it is." Rasputin was in a cheerful state.

As he arrived in the basement he found Felix there with a glass of wine awaiting him. Felix was already clearly enjoying his own refreshment.

"Good evening, your Worshipfulness," Felix stumbled. He seemed a bit nervous thought Rasputin, but most likely intoxicated as he hoped to be soon.

"Your home is as splendid as I remember." He reached out and took the offered wine.

"The cake is marvellous as well." Felix revealed a table of food that looked like it had already been explored by other hungry souls.

Rasputin tasted the wine and looked around the room at the vast collection of wines there. He then took some cake. "Delicious." He smiled as crumbs began to coat his thick black beard.

Felix was even more nervous suddenly. This was strange he thought for a moment, but the Prince had always been a bit odd around Rasputin. "So where is this wonderful wife of yours? Rasputin looked around the room and then up the narrow stairs toward the main floor.

"I thought we would talk about the state of affairs first, before involving Irina."

"Such a beautiful name." Rasputin could not hide his attraction to the Prince's wife. Felix responded with a nervous smile.

"She is a beauty that is true." He then placed his wine on the table and looked at the empty glass of Rasputin. The thoughts of death coursed through his head. There had been poison there. He was sure of it. But he still stood. How is that possible? Was this man truly a man of God? Or Satan? Felix thought to flee, but he retained the best composure that he could. "I suppose we should meet with her before it gets much later. She retires early in the evening."

He then began walking up the stairs. Rasputin followed. Not more than two steps were taken up the stairs before Felix turned and fired his gun into Rasputin's chest. Rasputin looked him in the eyes and mumbled something incoherently as he stumbled back and then fell to the floor. Felix raced up the stairs calling out, "Dmitri, Vladimir! He is dead! I have killed him!" He raced around the hall looking for the dining room where the others awaited him.

When he arrived there was a solemness that spread throughout the room. The journey was complete.

Dmitri smiled slightly, as was his fashion. "At last Russia is free."

"It is done," Vladimir concluded.

"Are you sure the beast is dead? If so we should return him to his rightful place. That snake hole from which he came," Dmitri snarled.

The energised Felix ran back to the stairs and descended quickly to the bottom and found the body of Rasputin on the ground face first.

Felix knelt down and turned the body over only to be face to face with a very alive Rasputin. His eyes glowed with anger and his hands lunged forward and throttled him around the neck. Felix screamed in pain as the air was being squeezed out of him. He was just able to break free and run for Dmitri and Vladimir's help.

By the time he reached them they were well aware of his panic from the screams they had heard.

"What do you mean, the devil is still alive?" Dmitri was unbelieving.

"Spawn of Hell be gone with you!" Vladimir raced toward the basement with Dmitri close behind. Felix stayed behind in fear.

When the two noblemen arrived at the bottom of the stairs, they found remnants of blood where the body had fallen after being shot.

"How is this possible?" Vladimir looked at Dmitri with an edge of terror in his eyes.

"He could not have gone far. We will find him and kill him." He turned and charged back up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, Felix was waiting.

"Come." Dmitri ran past him. Both Felix and Vladimir followed suit. When he arrived at the front door it was still open.

In the yard, Rasputin was crawling toward the gate struggling to get back to his feet. He knew he had to live to see the end of these vile traitors. Dmitri grabbed a loose limb that had fallen in the recent storm and proceeded to pound it into Rasputin's legs as he tried to crawl away. Felix ran up and fired into the still struggling body. Vladimir stood back and watched as the other two attempted to finish the work that had already been started. Rasputin carried on.

He felt a sudden blow to his chest that sent shocks through his body. He had never felt this warm, yet this cold. He stumbled around toward the gate hoping for a way out. He knew this was not the end. God had not willed this. He would not die here in this dark hole.

He fell to the ground with his chest and body bleeding.

"I curse you all to die in the red flames of Hell!" were the last words that any of his killers heard.