Monstrous Races Read online

  Elli shrugged, looking down at the stone that she felt softly humming against her skin. 'I don't think it represents who I am,' she said slowly. 'Not yet anyway. Perhaps something I could be. What I can't work out is why Lord Lansdown wants it so much. He's already rich, he's already powerful, why risk everything just to be more rich and powerful?'

  Alpha Sawyre smiled weakly and held out her hand. 'Sadly we can't see inside his mind, but if we could I'd imagine it was a strange place to be. Perhaps he just wants it without really knowing why, some people are like that. It's hard to understand people who want power so much when it's not something you've ever craved. But you should think on this Elli, because you obviously have a great deal of power with that stone, for good or for ill,' she added gravely, her eyes reflecting flashes of emerald green and vibrant blue.

  'I was happy at the Dogheadhood,' Elli said wistfully. 'Life was much simpler then. But this thing chose me, and I'll make the best of what I've got. What worries me is how it affects the people I care about.' Alpha Sawyre nodded gently, and held Elli's hand in hers.

  'Exactly,' she said. Elli was about to speak when a rush of noise and galloping hooves clip-clopped towards the house from the street below. There were shouts and calls, mostly muffled, and Elli and Alpha Sawyre looked at each other, eyes wide and afraid.

  'Stay here,' commanded Alpha Sawyre as she leapt gracefully from the bed. She moved towards the curtain and peered through it, hearing the front door slam open and heavy footsteps walking around downstairs. Rufus appeared at the door, his eyes wide and a sheen of sweat glistening on his dark brown fur. He gasped and spluttered, pointing at the bag lying abandoned on the floor.

  'We'll need that,' he managed, as Elli poured him some water from the jug by her bed. He took the cup and flung the water over his head, before holding it out for more. 'They've got Effi and Maud,' he said finally, tipping his head back and pouring the cup into his open mouth. 'Six of them went in first thing this morning and sent us a note. We've been waiting for them to try to grab you so we didn't think about protecting them. Max is livid. He's pacing. Whatever you do, don't disturb him when he's pacing.'

  'What do they want?' asked Alpha Sawyre, her voice clear and sharp.

  'Take a wild guess,' he answered, grabbing the pitcher and pouring himself some more water. 'They're threatening to do terrible things to them if we don't meet their demands, including escorting you,' he said pointing at Elli, 'to the city gates.'

  Elli sat back on the bed and felt a wave of nausea tickling her insides. 'How do we get them out? I can't leave them in there with those...monsters,' she finally spat out, forcing her eyes not to brim with salty tears as her stomach heaved at the thought of it. 'I'll go to them.'

  'Is this Effi Willingness and Maud O'Leary we're talking about?' asked Alpha Sawyre, a slight smile at the edge of her lips. 'Of Cheese Alley. The great-dane dog-head and the gorgadon who likes pink.'

  Rufus nodded and Alpha Sawyre broke into a large grin, her eyes shining. 'Oh I really don' t think that will be necessary,' she said to Elli, smoothing down her robe. 'Not necessary at all.'

  They sat quietly in the front room of the house as Max walked rhythmically up and down, up and down. Now and again they'd hear him sigh, loud and long, a sigh of deep frustration and pent-up fear. 'You both need to go into hiding,' he said finally, his chest heaving powerfully and his voice gruff. 'Rufus knows what to do. We've got a girl on standby to replace you, she'll be wearing a fake stone. Hide down there now and we'll send you a signal when it's time to run.' He kicked a wastepaper basket that was sitting neglected in a corner and sent it hurtling towards a window. 'They're trying to flush you out, they know the street is covered. When I get hold of them...'

  'Rufus,' said Alpha Sawyre, her voice measured and calm. 'I think we'd all like some tea. Elli, would you please help him?' she asked, walking towards Max. Elli followed Rufus into the kitchen, glancing behind her once to see Alpha Sawyre holding Max's large hands in hers and whispering into his floppy ear.

  Rufus almost dropped the tea-tray when he heard the laughter, a giggle that had lost all semblance of control coming from the room he'd just left. There were two sounds, both uncontrolled and laughing joyously together. He slowly put down the crockery and walked to the door, opening it gingerly before peering into the room for a moment and then shutting the door again. He looked across at Elli and gestured with his thumb towards the closed door with a look of extreme puzzlement. Elli gestured back with raised hands and they carried on making the tea, whispering to one another.

  'I've never heard her laugh like that,' he said. 'Even when I tripped up over the Arch Deacon and landed in Mrs Deacon's cleavage. Everybody laughed but her.'

  'Are they hysterical?' asked Elli, reaching up to collect the biscuits. 'There's been so much pressure on us all, perhaps this news has just sent them over the edge.'

  'Not that I know of,' said Rufus, taking the biscuits first and passing them down to Elli after taking half for himself. 'Never. He's normally the calm one, he sorts everything out while other people get hysterical. And he loves Effi and Maud, they helped us out when Mum left,' he said, scratching his muzzle thoughtfully. 'It's actually a bit distasteful. I'll stay here for a minute, you take them in their tea,' he said with a heavy heart-felt sigh.

  Elli wondered if the sound of rattling crockery would alert them to her presence, and coughed loudly as she went through the door just in case it hadn't. Alpha Sawyre and Max were both sitting down, Max in his large comfortable armchair and Alpha Sawyre perched daintily on the arm. Both were relaxed and seemingly happy, and Elli saw that his hand was resting over hers. He noted her glance and removed it delicately.

  'Thank you Elli,' said Alpha Sawyre, running her hand through her thick silky fur. 'And I'm sorry about that. You must be terribly confused.'

  Elli put the tray down on the table in front of her and looked up.

  'Let's just say things aren't always what they seem,' added Max.

  'And sometimes they are,' replied Elli, giving them both a knowing look and pouring out the tea. She heard Max splutter slightly and sat down herself, seeing Alpha Sawyre smile gently in spite of herself.

  It was less than an hour later when a single rider arrived at the house, a pale and watery boy called Tom who worked at the fishmongers and carried the smell around with him. He jumped down from his horse and walked it to the stables at the end of the road, peering around him furtively before receiving an almost imperceptible nod from Madame Valencia. He walked quickly up to the high wooden door of Max's house and found it open before he'd knocked.

  He stood in the middle of the room now, his face pale and his movements jittery amongst the opulent furnishings. 'It's over,' he spluttered, choosing his words carefully. 'It was horrible. We heard crashing and banging, then there were screams...' He trailed off, his brow sunken and his breathing laborious. Rufus was shaking his head, his mouth hanging open. 'We tried to get in but there was no way, we were too late,' he said sadly, his hat crushed between his hands and his eyes wet. 'They were thrown out into the street in the end, no clothes, nothing.' There was silence and then Rufus' eyes opened wider.

  'Who was thrown out?' he asked as realisation began to dawn around the edges of his mind.

  'Two dog-heads, big ones too, three humans and an ogre. Went clean out of the window. Luckily it was open first or there would have been an almighty mess. They didn't even have their boots on this time.'

  'Tom, do you mean that Maud and Effi are alright?' asked Elli, her voice brimming with wonder.

  'Well, they were making scones and a gigantic rice-pudding when I left,' he said, his eyes full of longing. 'I said I'd go back for some, if that's alright with you.'

  'Give them my love,' said Max with a heartening grin. 'And use this to buy them some flowers,' he added, passing him some coins. 'One of those is for you by the way. Was anything broken?'

  Tom looked up at him, the coins held tight in his fist. 'I think one might have broken
his nose in the fall.'

  'In the house,' Max said patiently. 'Was anything damaged?'

  'Don't think so,' answered Tom. 'Looked clean as anything when we went in afterwards. Like it had just been done.'

  'It probably had,' said Alpha Sawyre quietly, 'but not by Maud and Effi.' She looked across at Max and they smirked, whilst Rufus watched them both and collapsed into a seat.

  'Still,' said Max, sitting up now, 'that doesn't change anything. Kidnapping and threats against innocent old ladies shows just what they really are. I take it the ones who did this are on their way here?' Tom shook his head slowly, his eyes darting from Max to Alpha Sawyre.

  'The gendarme came to collect them, and one of them had a message for you. Here,' he said, fishing into his pocket and pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. Max nodded to him discreetly and he bowed low, before walking out leaving a fine trail of mud behind him. Max read the note and passed it to Alpha Sawyre, who folded it up neatly and held it in her hands.

  'It would seem that we have friends in high places,' she said, looking shrewdly at Elli and Rufus. 'How fortuitous. And that said friends are happy to hold these individuals for the time being whilst we concentrate our efforts elsewhere.' Elli risked a fleeting glance across at Rufus, who was looking at the ceiling with great interest. 'Now, I suggest that you two disappear to the safety of the basement and stay there until you get the signal. It would appear that there is also an impromptu celebration day scheduled for tomorrow with entertainment and sporting games, all kinds of things. And that the presence of all citizens is mandatory. There will be clipboards apparently. Our names and those of many others who live in and around this street are missing as a result of some oversight.' She stood poised in the centre of the room, her body perfectly still.

  'It would seem that the fates are on our side, although the last thing we would ever want to do is be indebted to them. They have a way of changing their allegiance so when we least expect it.' Elli felt Rufus place his heavy hand on her shoulder and guide her towards the stairs; from the corner of her eye she saw Alpha Sawyre squeezing her St Christophe tightly between her long fingers.

  'She knows,' Elli whispered as they climbed the stairs, and he nodded mutely, his hand tightly clenching the old oak banister that creaked beneath his grip. 'What's wrong?' she asked, watching a look of pain dart across his features and settle on his brow.

  'They went for a weakness,' he said finally, shifting his weight to his other leg. 'Our weakness. People we care about.' His voice was stiff and afraid. 'I'm just thinking, who else here do we care about that we haven't protected?'' Her eyes opened wide and she saw his shoulders sag, his grip tight and unrelenting. She nodded and smiled sadly, patting him on the arm.

  'We've been told to go to the basement Rufus,' she said gently. 'Get your things and come with me.'

  Elli knocked on the door of the room before pulling the hatch across, the heavy sketchbook balanced tightly under her arm. At the same time Rufus pulled the taller hatch across, and they both peered through to see George lying on the made bed engrossed in a book. Without looking up he waved and continued reading, and stayed that way even when the heavy door was pushed open and two sets of feet appeared inside. Rufus cleared his throat and George finally looked up, an open smile softening his features and strands of hair falling into his eyes.

  'Just catching up on my reading,' he said, seeing the large bags at their feet and the serious expressions on their faces. His gaze moved down to the large black sketchbook and his smile faltered, abject panic replacing it. 'How did you...' he asked, swallowing loudly. 'That's mine, it's private,' he muttered, as a cherry blush caressed his neck and moved up towards his ears.

  'It's alright George,' said Elli, her voice soothing and calm and she walked towards him and sat on the edge of his bed. 'Just talk to me. You see I found this sketch, which incidentally is very good, and I want you to tell me about it, that's all.' She opened the book to the picture of the girl which she recognised as her. George looked up at Rufus but saw that he'd get no help there, his tall strong body as immobile as rock.

  'It's you,' spluttered George, 'from memory. I like drawing, I've done some others there,' he said, pointing towards the old desk at the back of the room. 'Oh look, you can't fake this,' he said gesturing towards his reddening neck with a look of resignation.

  'I know,' she whispered, glancing at Rufus who walked over and slumped down next to him.

  'How... cosy,' said George, looking across at Rufus. 'Not quite the way I'd pictured it but still. It is real you know,' he said, flicking through the sketchbook. 'All of it. And you can leave me in here if you want but I'd rather help you. I've got nothing to go back for anyhow.' Elli and Rufus exchanged glances while Rufus pulled some liquorice bark out of his pocket and offered it around before gnawing on it thoughtfully.

  'Do you think Lord Lansdown still trusts you?' he asked gruffly, his face contorting as he chewed.

  'I suppose so,' said George, slithers of soft bark jutting between his lips. 'Why?'

  Chapter Twenty

  Burt and his magnificent bowling-bowl

  Max heard the clanking and jarring of metal and greasy footsteps before he could see them, a rhythmic drumbeat that echoed around hills and great trees, through cobbled roads and winding streams. A pulse, a vibrating hum, a warning. Max looked up at the sky, the heavy grey clouds threatening to belch cold rain down from the heavens. He stood at the top of the high wall and looked down at his army, his friends and his family.

  Alpha Sawyre stood at his side despite repeated pleading, cajoling and half-hearted ordering, and her resolution was firm and true. He held her hand and squeezed it tightly, the sound of cheering and well-organised diversionary entertainment carrying on the wind far behind them. In the distance he made out movement, creatures that seeped over the valley beyond and moved inevitably towards them, churning everything in their path into unctuous black mud. He placed his hand on his chest and felt for his St Christophe, squeezing it softly between his fingers.

  They came as the first heavy raindrops spattered to the ground, pulling themselves out of shadows and over tall walls. Legs dangled and backs arched, and teeth were bared as all moved together as one, a single body with blistered hands and murderous intent. They moved through the street, bolder now with clubs and spears jutting outwards. A single old cat watched them glide towards the house and hissed at them, her fur on end. A muddy twisted face hissed back at her from the belly of the monster, its sharp knife glinting as he raised it. The cat hissed again and ran, disappearing over high walls and ledges. Every head turned slowly around, eyes darting and all listening in the moving mass of limbs.

  'Hello,' said a jovial, friendly and very loud voice. 'Lovely to see you all. I was just wondering when you'd all arrive. I get so terribly bored I'm afraid.' The voice carried through the street, and widened eyes darted back and forth searching for a glimpse of the disembodied noise. Swords were held high and all movement stopped apart from creaking necks and furtive glances. 'Deary me, thugs are so much more nervous nowadays than they used to be. I remember when a gang, well I say gang, perhaps a troupe really, came my way in the Summer of, now what year was it...?' The cheerful voice went on as rusty swords and dented clubs were tentatively jabbed into the empty air.

  The passageway was dark and malodorous with fizzing lights that lit up the small figure moving through them. Finally a small boat lay in the dark green water, and he brushed aside grasping spider webs and foraging roots to reach it, jumping in after removing a particularly truculent hairy spider from his shoulder. The boat swept through the narrow canal slowly at first, speeding up quickly as tired hands grasped and pulled at the oars moving through the unforgiving water. On and on it went, dipping beneath bulging foundations and alongside festering sewers, in places where shadows replaced light and deep black darkness replaced shadows. The figure moved and muttered, carried along through the bowels of the earth until he finally slept.

  An ogre hel
d the flag at the front of the Lord Lansdown's army, her long dreadlocks flowing behind her like billowing seaweed. Her small tusks were sharp and gleaming and her meaty arms held the pole tightly in her fists. Behind her sat Lord Lansdown, thinner now, his skin drawn tight over his bones like a new drum. His eyes were watchful and cautious, any traces of uncertainty that may have lingered in them once dead forever. His head was erect and proud, his chin raised and his tunic starched so severely that his neck loitered inside it. He sat astride a magnificent black stallion, its fur like silken tar and the same disdainful look upon its face as its master. Captain Briggs rode next to him swinging the heavy sock gently back and forth in his hand.

  Lady Lansdown and Gerald rode behind them, their white mares standing closer together and the clip clop of the hooves disguising their words. She held onto the reins tightly, her skin like wet paper around the soft leather. Gerald rode on gaily, occasionally nuzzling into the bristly mane and drifting off to sleep still clutching the taut neck of his horse. A considerate observer might have noticed that she looked across at him at those times, or even that her frequent chastisements always ended with a furtive smile or a subtle wink. She looked behind her as the army trudged on behind them with teeth bared and eyes fixed on the prize ahead.