Sniffer had watched the events unfold through the window until that damn Angelore had struck him. He thought Tiddles was a goner and, without thinking, had opened the door screaming at the Spylore. It was one of the most intense fights he had ever seen Tiddles in, and he had been injured before, but not like the wound he could see bleeding on Tiddle's upper thigh. Sniffer opened the door again, having pulled it shut swiftly when the Spylore approached him and glanced into the sky warily in case the Angelore returned.
“Hey, boy,” he called to Tiddles.
Tiddles took another large mouthful of Spylore and turned his head. His eyes appeared to glow red again. He came trotting over. The wound he had received from the Angelore looked bad, and it had torn a long gash in his rear thigh and taken a chunk of skin out as well by the looks of the wound.
“You ok,” he said as Tiddles came up to him. Tiddles lowered his head and pushed himself towards Sniffer's outstretched hand. Sniffer gave him a scratch on his neck and behind his ear. “You did amazing,” he said, “I need to look at your leg though.”
Tiddles stood there and allowed Sniffer to inspect the wound. Although the talon had struck deep, it didn’t look like it had reached the muscle in his leg through the thick outer layers of his skin. It would need a clean, though, and dressing due to the long gash it had left. “I will have to take you to Doc’s and see what she can do for you.” He said.
The townsfolk in the building were chattering excitedly with tears of pain, relief, and loss now that the beast had gone. A few of them walked forward, wishing thanks to Sniffer and Tiddles. “Stay inside,” Sniffer said. “I am going to see the Doc. No one leaves the building whatsoever.”
“I won’t let anyone out,” the guard who had opened the door for him said in a wavering voice.
Sniffer walked to Doc’s with Tiddles, glancing around at the sky above every few seconds. He had blood running from his wound, but it wasn’t pumping out. He did not even seem to pay attention, and he walked normally. They moved through the scene of carnage Tiddles had left and the bodies of the men whom the Angelore had attacked. Sniffer briefly stopped to check for signs of life at the Angelores’ victims, but none of them were alive. He saw Holland approaching the corner from the Brickhouse with a woman. They both held makeshift spears.
“Has it gone?” Holland asked, panic in his voice.
“For now, I think,” Sniffer said, glancing up at the sky, “But we cannot take the chance of anyone being outside. It took out all five guards, and I have never seen anything behave like it did. It controlled the Spylore, and they didn’t do anything until it told them to. That is one intelligent beast and the Alpha of the pack”.
“Spylore’s as well? I heard the shooting from the Brickhouse, and when we looked outside, we only saw that thing flying over the rooftops with one of the men. I am sorry. I should have believed you.” Holland said ashamedly.
“It’s a little late now for apologies. Maybe you would not have lost five more men if you had listened.” Sniffer replied with callousness. He knew he was harsh, but Holland needed to understand the truth of his error.
Holland's shoulders slumped, and he didn’t respond.
“I need to see Doc if she has anything for the beast. He got stuck pretty good by that thing.” As he continued walking towards Doc’s, he did not look back at Holland but called out, “I suggest you go and see the townsfolk; they will need reassuring, and you need to make sure no one goes outside until this thing is dealt with.”
He made his way to Doc’s, and she opened the door as he approached the building. “Are you ok?” she asked with a concerned look.
“I am fine. It’s the beast,” he said, pointing at the gash on his leg.
“OK, bring him in. Let’s see what I can do with it.” She replied.
Sniffer and Tiddles walked into Doc’s and the back treatment room. Doc started inspecting Tiddle's injury and asked, “What happened?” Sniffer gave her the run-down of the attack as she began to search through the bottles and items she had on the side. She started pouring some liquids out and mixing various herbs or similar, creating a thick paste. Sniffer finished explaining the brief version of how Tiddles had been injured as she moved back to him with a dish full of the paste and a foul-smelling bottle of liquid.
She looked at Tiddles and said, “This may hurt a little, but I need to clean the wound out and then dress it.”
He tilted his head at her and appeared to nod.
Doc poured the liquid onto the wound and wiped around it with some clothes, removing the excess blood. Tiddles let out a deep, low growl, and Sniffer was sure he was gritting his teeth. “OK, now for the part you may not like,” she said. She scooped up the paste and applied it straight onto the wound. The yelp and then almighty howl, which left Tiddles’s mouth even made Sniffer wince, and he turned and stared wide-eyed at the Doc, baring his teeth slightly.
“Sorry, but you don’t want it getting infected.” She said.
“You’ll be ok, Tiddles,” Sniffer said, stroking his back.
“Tiddles?” Doc started.
Sniffer turned red and stumbled with his words, “Yeah, umm, Tiddles, that’s what I named him as a cub.”
Doc had a huge grin on her face and could not help but burst out laughing. “Who would have thought such a tough old beast like yourself would have such a cute name,” she said. She finished applying the paste and then placed a dressing over the wound.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Tiddles looked mightily upset and had a sulking look on his face, his eyes betraying his beastly appearance. “That should do it, but you must keep it dry for a day and at least allow the paste to sit. It should prevent any infection from setting in. I know it hurts when applied, but it does help.” She said, looking at Tiddles.
Tiddles dropped his head to one side, and Doc reached out and stroked it gently.
“What is the plan now?” she asked.
“Not sure, that thing is unworldly in the way it behaves. Its attacks are so fast you hardly have time to react, and it didn’t land either. The beast cannot deal with it unless it is on the ground.” He said.
Doc filled a large bowl with water for Tiddles, who sat happily slurping away.
“What about nets?” Elizabeth asked.
“What do you mean?” Sniffer said.
“Could you not try and trap it somehow to stop it from flying?”
“Possibly, but it’s got to be one very large and strong net to try and hold that thing.”
“Well, the fishermen have loads of nets, and I am sure some of them have wire ones from fishing for certain Wild Ones in the river.”
“They use wire nets in that river?” Sniffer asked.
“Yeah, some of the Wild Ones are nasty little buggers and have teeth that will cut through their normal nets.”
“And I have been wading through that river not knowing!” Sniffer replied with a shocked look.
“Do not worry. Those types are only around for a very short time each summer when they spawn, but their meat is delicious.” Elizabeth said. “You will have to try some at some point.”
“Well, if I am still here in the summer, something has gone very wrong,” Sniffer replied. “Not that I don’t like it here because I do. I have stuff I need, and the only place I can get it is New Talisia. The beast here is still growing, so I must upgrade my truck.”
“Let’s hope that it is not too soon. I like having ‘Tiddles’ around.” Elizabeth replied, ruffling him on his head.
Tiddles finished drinking the water Doc had given him and turned to sniff at the paste applied to his wound. It smelt awful, and he wrinkled his nose at the stench. He could not sneak up on anything smelling like he did now. He lay down on the surgery floor, spreading his bulk and covering a good portion.
“Do you want a coffee?” Doc asked.
“I would love one,” Sniffer replied.
Doc and Sniffer walked out of the room and headed to the back. Tiddles let them go and lay there resting. The wound was now itching, and he wanted to scratch at it but knew better. Tiddles’ display had triggered during the fight, and although he automatically ignored it while fighting, he decided he would trawl through the backlog. He sat there with his eyes closed, flicking through the messages that appeared. Most of them were the usual generic combat messages he had always received, but one made him stop reading it carefully.
Due to your continued fighting prowess and recent battle against a superior force of Wild Ones, you have been awarded three points to distribute as you wish.
He had never been given the option to select point distribution before, only ever given increases as and when they triggered. This was something new, and he quickly reviewed his profile, deciding where to spend them. It seemed strange to Tiddles to get an award for not even beating the Angelore, but he would not complain. He quickly selected the stats he wanted to improve and only had to think about assigning the point for it to amend the display values.
Are you happy with your selection? Yes/No
Tiddles accepted the changes.
Congratulations, the following changes have occurred: Acrobatics 15, Endurance 20, and Defensive Strategy 15.
Reaching level 20 in Endurance is a feat not many achieve. Due to your stalwart and tireless nature, you can select a further specialisation. Please choose from the following options:
Rapid Heal – improves the healing time of injuries. Immunity to Poison – your natural defences will protect you from poison. Immunity to Disease – your natural defences will protect you from disease. Battle Master – your stalwart nature will increase the confidence of party members, boosting endurance. Natural Armour – your skin increases its natural defence capabilities, providing extra protection.
Tiddles read through the messages and explanations repeatedly. He could not decide which option he preferred. Healing would be good, but he did not get injured that often. He also was unaware of any diseases or poisons that could affect him normally due to his naturally high resistance. Natural armour sounded nice, but it was the Battle Master specialisation that was confusing him. He was imprinted to Sniffer, but at no point had there ever been a party of members, and he was unsure what the endurance bonus would be. He had no idea and wished he had someone to talk to, to discuss things with. He checked his character sheet:
[https://i.imgur.com/KHf6YJd.jpg]
There did not seem to be a time limit on choosing an option, so he decided to leave it for now and give it more consideration before choosing.
Sniffer was sitting with Doc, drinking coffee when the notifications appeared.
Your imprinted has increased the following abilities: Acrobatics 15, Endurance 20, Defensive Strategy 15.
“What the fuck?” he blurted out, cutting across Doc, who was in the process of describing the best wound salve to Sniffer and where to source the ingredients. Doc frowned, looking at him.
“Sorry, but I just received notifications for three ability boosts for Tiddles.” He said open-mouthed.
“Three! Wow, I have only ever received one boost at a time.” She stated.
“Same, no idea what has just happened,” Sniffer replied.
He got up and walked back to the surgery area. Tiddles was still lying on the floor and looked asleep. He looked at him quizzically and then walked back through to Doc. “He is just sleeping.” He said, scratching his head.
“Well, I would not complain if he were getting increases like that,” Doc said.
“I know, but it is very strange. In all my time as a beast handler, I have never met a beast as unique as Tiddles. His personality seems to defy the norm, and his intelligence appears off the charts for a beast. I have also never had a beast or known one whose abilities increased as rapidly as his. He is still under two years old.” He said.
“One year old? I thought he was much older.” Doc said.
“That’s my point. He is still so young, yet his abilities have developed to those of beasts that have been alive for years in comparison. He has passed my previous beasts’ abilities in most areas.” He said.
“That is strange. Is he a different breed of beast?” Doc asked.
“Not that I know of. When I found him, his mother looked like a normal beast. Although he does seem to have some strange characteristics at times.” Sniffer said.
“Such as?” Doc enquired.
“His eyes. When he fights, his eyes seem to glow and turn red. I have never seen it in other beasts, but it is like a blood lust or fire burning inside him, and he is always warm. I mean always, snow melts on landing on him due to his natural body heat, and the cold never affects him in any way.” He said.
Doc sat thoughtfully for a while before commenting further. “Could he be a crossbreed?”
Considering Doc's comment, Sniffer looked, “I suppose he could be. I had never considered that. Although I do not know of any beasts with the attributes he is showing.”
Tiddles had been awake when Sniffer had come to check on him and sat listening to Sniffer and Doc talk. ‘Crossbreed’, he thought. He did not know who his father had been, only remembering his mother, who the Spylore had killed. ‘Who had his father been?’ he thought and wondered if he could ever find out.