They had arrived on the outskirts of New Talisia, and as they approached the gate, Sniffer could see a hive of activity. The large outer gates were quickly being drawn closed. The last time he had visited was a few years ago, and it looked like little had changed.
The entranceway following the road led you into a funnelled area where the vehicles came to a stop surrounded by stockade walls, and there were guard positions on the walls overlooking the gate. Two guards now stood on the walls looking down, and he saw them both point rifles towards him.
"Shit, Tiddles!" he exclaimed. He slammed the truck into neutral and quickly jumped out, waving his arms at the guards.
"Don't shoot!" he called.
He had given it no thought with Tiddles free running, and Tiddles had happily trotted alongside the truck for the entire journey. As they had entered the funnelled area, though, he stood about fifteen metres behind the truck, and Sniffer suddenly realised that they would not think he was with him.
One of the guards called down. "Is that thing with you?"
"Yes," Sniffer called back, hurrying to the back of his truck and standing next to Tiddles. Tiddles had looked at Sniffer and where he was now shouting towards the two guards, pointing their weapons at him.
"He cannot enter without being caged." came the response.
"He is harmless unless someone threatens him or us," Sniffer replied.
"Town rules." the guard replied.
"He doesn't fit in the cage with the others, so...." Sniffer replied.
"What others?" the guard snapped.
'Shit, why did I just say that' Sniffer thought, slowly replying. "The cubs."
"Cubs?"
"Erm. The Spylore cubs."
Sniffer turned as he heard the other guard pull the bolt action back on his rifle and push it forward, ensuring a round was ready in the chamber.
"You have Spylore cubs. Are you insane? There is absolutely no way they are ever entering the town." the guard replied.
Elizabeth climbed from the truck and stood by Sniffer, looking up at the guard talking.
"They are only cubs and absolutely harmless," she replied to the guard.
"I do not care what you say. There is no way that Spylore cubs are ever entering the town. You will have to find somewhere to stay outside the township and leave them there." he retorted.
"Damn, it," Sniffer said, turning to Elizabeth.
"We passed loads of empty buildings on the way in. I am sure we can find one that we can stay at for now," she said.
Sniffer turned to Tiddles, "We need to find somewhere to stay, boy."
Tiddles just lowered his head and let out a low growl in response as if nodding.
"Let's go find somewhere," Elizabeth said.
They climbed back into the truck, and Sniffer reversed out of the entrance.
Tiddles had turned and was walking away from town. He was sniffing the air and picking up a faint scent he recognised but did not know why. It was a sweet scent, and it was of a risen. He could not pinpoint where he knew it from, however. He could now sense it in both directions, going into the town and away. The strength of the scent was currently stronger, leading away from the town. He needed to find out what it was and started to follow it.
"Where is he going?" Sniffer said as he finished turning the truck around.
"No idea," Elizabeth said as she watched Tiddles trot down the road.
"Well, I better follow him," Sniffer said.
Tiddles was intrigued. He needed to know why he recognised the scent. The scent drew him out towards the main road, and then he turned, tracking it, heading further North; the scent was gradually getting stronger, and he continued to follow it. "Where are you going?" Sniffer called out of the truck window at him
Tiddles just turned, growled, and continued.
"Where is he taking us?" Elizabeth added.
"No idea. This looks like it used to be a nice area." Sniffer replied
Tiddles continued for another few minutes before turning into a street with large and what once would have been opulent houses. Most of them were in disrepair and either had been taken back by nature or collapsed over time. He was approaching a large building set back from the street, and Sniffer saw a truck parked in a driveway.
This house had stood the test of time much better than many around it and looked almost undamaged. There were a few signs of dereliction, but nothing compared to the other homes on the street. He stopped by the driveway and turned, looking towards the house.
Tiddles stood at the top of the drive when the property's door opened. A tall man walked out carrying a shotgun and started walking towards Tiddles.
Sniffer quickly jumped from the truck. "Wait." He cried, waving his arms. The tall man turned and looked at him suspiciously, and he did not remove the shotgun's barrel from pointing at Tiddles. A woman appeared in the doorway of the property.
'That's her' realisation suddenly hitting Tiddles. He recognised the scent of the girls he had been sent to track from the factory. He was almost certain.
"What do you want?" The young woman called from the steps of the house.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"We are looking for somewhere to stay," Sniffer replied.
"And you decided to pick a house with people living in it?" She said sardonically.
Sniffer held his arms in the air, trying to placate the situation. He did not want to face a blast from a shotgun or Tiddles, for that matter.
"Honestly, we are just looking for a place to stay. The beast led us here," Sniffer said.
Sniffer walked over to Tiddles, patting him on his back. "Look, he is friendly. He will not harm anyone unless provoked." Sniffer stated.
Tiddles stared blankly at the man with the shotgun, and the man stared directly back at him. Standing no more than thirty feet from him, the man showed no fear. Usually, he would smell the fear that Risen seemed to produce, and this man was fearless. Tiddles had no interest in the girl. The job had been closed and paid for. It was just the scent he had needed to track
"I don't suppose you have any spare rooms?" Sniffer asked, smiling.
Sniffer heard the cubs growl, and before he realised what was happening, he heard the distinctive sound of a pistol being primed and another female voice, "Step out of the truck and keep your hands visible."
Sniffer whirled around to see another woman standing by the truck, pointing a pistol at Elizabeth. His heart leapt in shock, and fear coursed through him. "Elizabeth, do as you are asked." He said with a pleading tone.
Tiddles turned at the new voice; having been so focused on the man, he had not noticed the woman and where she had come from. He growled a deep, threatening growl which seemed to reverberate.
"Easy, boy," Sniffer said.
Tiddles knew he could take the man down. He would get shot in the process, but if it came down to it, he would do what he needed to defend his family. It was the woman, though he could not do anything about it, and Sniffer could not either from where they were.
Elizabeth climbed out of the truck, slowly looking at the woman brandishing the pistol.
"Do you think we can start over?" she asked, standing in front of the woman.
"And you are?" The woman asked.
The woman looked as though she knew how to handle herself. She had stepped away as Elizabeth had left the truck, making sure she had a clear sight of them all and enough distance from Elizabeth to quickly shoot without being compromised.
"Elizabeth and this are Sniffer and Tiddles." She said.
The woman raised her eyebrows. "Which one is Tiddles?" she asked with a hint of humour in her voice.
"The beast," Elizabeth replied.
"I would have thought Sniffer was more appropriate for a beast." She replied.
Sniffer stood there and, for the first time, realised how stupid it was to use the name Sniffer as a beast owner and why the woman would ask. Then again, if she thought his name was Tiddles, that would never be able to be explained.
The group fell silent briefly before the girl on the steps spoke.
"I agree. Let us start over." She said, slowly walking down the steps.
The girl was unarmed and proceeded towards Tiddles. She walked up to the tall man whose gaze had never left Tiddles and gently placed her hand on his arm. The man slowly lowered the shotgun but not as far as resting it. She then walked in front of the man towards where Sniffer was standing with Tiddles. She stopped a couple of steps away and placed her hand out.
"I am Tabs, and you must be Sniffer." She said, smiling. Sniffer could see that she was nervous and shaking slightly.
Tiddles could smell the fear the girl released. He was impressed that she had managed to walk so close to him, and he knew her fear was directed at him.
Sniffer reached out and took her hand, shaking it gently but firmly.
"I am. As I said, we are just looking for somewhere to stay; we are not staying at New Talisia long. We wish to sell some goods, and then we will return to our town." He said.
The other woman lowered her pistol from Elizabeth and stepped forward.
"Crystal," she said. Sniffer could tell that the woman was not someone to mess with. Her beauty competed with Elizabeth with her long, bright, fiery red hair and stunning looks. The only blemish was the scar from above her left eye to her right cheek. It did not deter from her beauty, though, and added an edge of danger to her. Her eyes were piercing and a vibrant green similar to Elizabeth's. Her looks were not as stunning as Elizabeth's, although Sniffer believed she still must have men falling at her feet.
"Elizabeth." Elizabeth formally replied, holding her hand out. The woman called Crystal stepped forward and took her hand. Her grip was firm and steady, and Elizabeth could sense the power this woman exuded.
Tiddles nudged Sniffer in the side.
"Sorry, this is the beast." He said.
"Didn't you say Tiddle or something like that before?" the girl called Tabs stated, looking towards Elizabeth.
"Erm, yes, his name is Tiddles," Sniffer said quietly.
"That is a cute name for a beast looking like that." Tabs said, shuddering involuntarily.
Tiddles looked at her and smiled.
The instant sight of his rows of razor-sharp fangs made Tabs take a step backwards, and her eyes widened in shock.
The man who had been silent the whole time lifted the shotgun's barrel again.
"He is just smiling," Sniffer said, quickly stepping before Tiddles.
"Smiling? He looks ready to tear me to pieces." Tabs replied, her voice cracking slightly.
"I promise you he is harmless," Sniffer added.
The girl hesitated before slowly stepping towards Tiddles and holding her hand out towards him. Tiddles looked at her hand and stuck his tongue out, licking it. Tab’s hand was covered in slobber from his massive maw, but she did not pull back. She then reached forward and placed her hand on his nose. Tiddles sniffed deeply; she smelt sweet and spicy all added together; it was the scent from the factory. He let her stroke his nose.
"His fur is so soft." She said.
Elizabeth had watched the scene unfold and was glad this younger girl was there. She did not think the silent man or older girl would have been so accommodating.
"I do not suppose you have any spare rooms?" Elizabeth asked.
The girls looked at each other, and Tabs tilted her head towards the girl called Crystal, and after a few moments of silence, she replied.
"We do, yes." With a sigh.
Elizabeth thought the girls had to be related. The older one was a beautiful woman, but the younger one also had a beauty to her. It was not quite as outspoken as Crystal, but the pair had similar features.
"And you are?" Elizabeth said, turning and smiling at the man.
"He does not speak." Tabs said.
"Oh," Elizabeth replied.
"His name is Lars." She replied.
Elizabeth strode forward towards the man offering her hand. The tall man, and now that she had approached him, he was very tall, lowered the shotgun to his side and gently took her hand. He smiled at her.
"Nice to meet you," Elizabeth said, smiling.
Lars smiled back, releasing her hand and then indicating towards the older girl with his free hand.
"Ok." The girl replied with a slight undertone of resistance.
"So, are we all good for now?" Sniffer said.
"Yes." The young girl replied. "So, you are only staying in town briefly?" She said, confirming Sniffer's earlier comment.
"Just to sell some wares and purchase a new truck at the auctions."
"The next vehicle auction is not for a month." The other girl replied.
"A month. Damn." Sniffer said.
"Well, if you have a spare room, we could use it while we look for somewhere permanent. It would be greatly appreciated." Elizabeth asked.
Tiddles walked towards the man Lars, where Elizabeth now stood, and looked at him. He liked this man; he was fearless and reminded Tiddles of himself. He knew that he would have no problems with resorting to violence if he needed to, and the man also learned the same about Tiddles. They looked at each other with mutual respect.
"Can I ask what you are selling?" Tabs said.
"Mostly clothes, but we have a few other items from the town. What do you do here?" she asked.
"We sell tonics and salves, and Lars is a member of the town guard," Crystal said.
Elizabeth broke into a bright smile. "I am a doctor and make salves and tonics as well. Maybe we can discuss recipes."
The tension of the meeting began to break down as the group chatted. There was still a feeling of uncertainty, and Sniffer knew that if it came down to it, either side would stand their ground if needed. The girls were more receptive now that Elizabeth had mentioned being a doctor, but the tall man sent a sense of fear into Sniffer. He could tell he was a force to be reckoned with.
"Would you like to come in for a drink?" Tabs offered them both.
"That would be lovely. We have been travelling the road for the past few weeks, so a decent drink would go down a treat." Elizabeth replied.
Tiddles let out a low growl.
"I will be there in a minute; I just need to go and sort the cubs out. Sniffer said.
"Cubs?" Crystal asked.
"Yeah, the Spylore cubs," Sniffer replied.
"What!" both girls replied.