I had been running for hours on end. I had exited the Labyrinth a short time ago, but I was not yet out of the gnawer lands. I could no longer smell those who had been pursuing me. But I was utterly exhausted.
I was now nursing a slash on my shoulder and a scratch on my cheek. I had run into trouble just before I exited the Labyrinth. A group of initiates in Gorger's army had caught my stench as I ran down a separate tunnel, and I went through a lot of pain to dispose of them. I didn't think I had managed to distribute any fatal blows to any of them; they were just unconscious. I'm a Scent-Seer, not a rager.
I seriously needed a place to rest. But it was so risky here. I had to take extreme caution to divert myself from the eyes of the gnawers that were all about. They probably didn't all know who I was, but it was best to be safe.
After a while I just couldn't take it any more. I needed to take a break, to relax. I was foaming at the mouth and my legs felt as if they could move no longer. I didn't pay much attention to where I was; I just wearily staggered into the first concealed spot I could find. I dropped down, chest heaving, onto the cold stone floor and curled up in a sleeping position. For most, it would be uncomfortable, but for all I'd been through, it felt like heaven. I was asleep within seconds.
"Someone's here. I can smell them."
That was the first thing I heard when I opened my eyes. Or perhaps it had been the cause of my awakening, I couldn't be sure. But nevertheless, I knew I would soon be discovered.
The voice that had spoken had been tough and masculine, but now a new voice spoke.
"Yes, I smell them as well. Look around, Snapjaw, look around."
But this voice brought back unpleasant memories. Memories of being a pup, wandering away from my mother when I had just awoken and encountering the exact same voice. It was the silky, smooth, persuasive feminine voice I remembered, although it was much more intriguing than it had been all those years ago. Twirltongue.
I shuffled to the backmost part of my hideaway. I could smell the curiosity concealed in Twirltongue's emotion, but I also sensed excitement. Excitement to be finding her "prey", no matter what she would decide to do with them. But I wasn't about to let it be me.
Then I heard Twirltongue give a purr of satisfaction. "In here." She said to her companion. I gulped. She had found me. There was only one thing to do. I emerged from my hideout and faced the she-devil.
I nearly gasped in astonishment. Twirltongue looked impressive, far more than she had when she was a pup. Her silver fur was glistening and her smile was so stunning. It revealed her shiny white fangs. Her tail was curved perfectly around her back leg. I was intrigued and unimaginably terrified all at once.
Her smile automatically widened when I revealed myself. "Well, if it isn't Twitchtip. Just the gnawer I have desired to speak to." She purred, still smiling at me.
"You wanted to talk to me?" I said, surprised.
"Of course. All of this Scent-Seer excitement. You are so lucky. How I wish I was one." She smiled, but with just the right amount of envy in it to get me going.
"Really? Most rats think it's a horrible power." I said, surprised.
She shook her head vigorously. "Oh, no. Not I. It is a wonderful privilege. Anyone who is blessed with it should be extremely grateful. Those who say otherwise are not your real friends." She said seriously. She was probably right. I mean, what did those other idiots know? I was way more powerful than them! They had no right to doubt me! I was a Scent-Seer, and proud!
I nodded. "You're right." I said. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.
"Of course I am. I know you are special." She responded to my agreement.
I smiled. "Thanks." I said, a bit modestly.
"Would you like to meet some of my friends?" Twirltongue asked me, still smiling.. Of course I did. If they were as nice as Twirltongue, who wouldn't I want to meet them?
"Okay." She said. "Come here!" she called down the cavern. Four gnawers strode out of a cave. Strangely, they smelled ready to kill. But I told myself that that scent was probably still lingering on them from a few minutes ago, when they had believed me to be a threat. Surely they didn't think that now.
"Twitchtip, this is Snapjaw, Reekwell, Sheerstride, and Gushgore." Twirltongue said calmly, gesturing at the gnawers who were now standing behind her. "This is Twitchtip the Scent-Seer." She introduced me to them. They all gave nods of understanding, as did I.
"So, there has been something we've been longing to ask you for so long." Twirltongue said, striding closer to me. She smelled excited. Well, she was intrigued to be talking to me.
"What is it?" I asked interestedly. What could they possibly want to ask me?
"I'll have Snapjaw ask you. He has a way with words." Twirltongue said. Snapjaw came a little closer to me.
"So, Twitchtip," he began, staring closely at me. "How would you like to…oh, I don't know…DIE?"
The attack was totally unexpected on my part. Snapjaw had pounced on top of me and managed to pin me down. For a moment I believed myself trapped, but I managed to slip out, thanks to my swift and skinny figure. I began running for my life, smelling the thrill of Twirltongue's little band as they pursued me. How had I not seen that coming? I knew what Twirltongue was like!
I ran and ran, and I soon exited the tunnels and entered the Dead Lands, but I didn't dare stop. I no longer knew if the gnawers were still chasing me or not; my sense of smell was too preoccupied with the scent of my own fear, sweat, and remorse that was strengthening with every pace.
Finally, after over an hour, I slowed. My strides got slower and slower until finally, I collapsed right where I had stopped. My eyes were closed and I was barely even conscious. I was sure it was the end for me; I had either ran myself to death or was about to be killed by Twirltongue's group.
"And just what do you think you're doing here?"
My eyes nervously snapped open.
Standing above me was a big, gray, mean looking gnawer with a diagonal scar straight across his face.