An Act to Follow - Part 8 - A series of unfortunate events

Timbre and Tejina were not wholly aware how fortunate they really were.

Barely a minute after they left, Captain Viscen arrived, in his entire armored splendor, at the entrance to East Clock Town. He looked slightly nervous, as if apprehensive about the events to come. He'd hired Veneer to take care of this problem for him, but instead the hunter had demanded that he and his Guard actively participate. He shifted impatiently in his heavy armor, but he didn't have long to wait.

Veneer seemed in a more amiable mood come darkness. "Still wearing that getup, Viscen?" Veneer rumbled as he approached, a cloaked shadow. Viscen only recognized him because he had spoken.

"A Captain's armor is his badge," he replied boldly.

"Oh all right then, Captain," Veneer chuckled humorlessly. "Just don't blame me when the Wolfos bears you down with one swipe due to that collection of metal you've got on."

"Pardon?"

"One swipe, Viscen."

The Captain swallowed. He'd never thought himself a cowardly man, or one prone to terror, but somehow just being around the dry humorless rustle of Veneer's voice brought out the worst in him. Removing all but the chestplate and helmet of his armor, he piled the rest, mostly ornamental, into a pile with a metallic clatter. When he looked up, Veneer was already moving away.

Viscen quickly caught up. "What-"

"Might I suggest that silence is a good skill to learn, Captain?"

The Captain inhaled sharply, drawing himself up. He was beginning to regret having summoned the rude bounty hunter in many ways. "Now just a-"

He would have continued if not for the sight in front of him. The Guard, who was supposed to be keeping at his post in front of East Clock Town, was facing the wrong way, head turned upwards in ridiculous fashion. Veneer didn't comment, but he seemed to be laughing to himself. Viscen boiled a little inside.

"Shiro! Stand at attention!"

The Guard jolted out of his staring at the sound of Viscen's voice and stood at attention, eyes wide.

"Hmm, that's better. Anything to report, Shiro?" Viscen's eyes narrowed, his voice husky and commanding.

"A…a fairy attacked me, sir?" The guard Shiro said, a little foolishly.

Veneer laughed silently.

Viscen stared the younger officer in the eye. "Indeed. Might I suggest, soldier, that even if one intends to take the night watch, one should remember proper conduct?" Shiro swallowed.

"Yessir," the guard mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"Yes sir!" Shiro saluted.

"Hmmf, that's more like it. Dismissed!"

"Yes sir!"

Viscen rolled his eyes as they moved past Shiro into West Clock Town. Veneer finally sobered.

"Good help, it's so hard to find, isn't it Captain?"

"Harumph! If I might be so bold to ask, what exactly did you need me for?" Viscen said condescendingly. If Veneer was going to insult him, then Viscen was going to throw his superior rank.

The mercenary threw the attitude right back at the Captain. "I thought that would be obvious to a highly-ranked individual such as yourself. That is the beginning of the trail. Well, come along, Captain! Don't want to stall, do we?"

Viscen growled under his breath. He really, truly, could hate that man.

-;O;-

"Are you done yet?" Tejina asked urgently, her tail waving with impatience. West Clock Town was currently deserted, but there was no telling how long it would stay that way.

Timbre had carefully threaded his way amongst the cordoned-off area that was the scene of the vandalism. Though it can hardly be called that if it wasn't deliberate, he thought. He had to be careful not to upset anything or leave any new tracks.

Choosing a spot free of honey and splinters, Timbre gently laid the note and the rupees in front of the remains of the crate. Anybody would notice it if they looked at the scene for long enough. Hopefully it would be found and everyone would forget about his mistake. At least he hoped so.

Two jumps later and the wolf stood alongside Tejina. Her nose wrinkled scornfully.

"That took too long. We need to get going."

"Right." Timbre took two steps back the way they had come when-

"Yip!" Timbre looked behind him, and saw Tejina standing resolutely with his tail clenched firmly between her jaws. Feeling a little sympathy for Ty, who'd had several similar experiences, he glared at Tejina. "Do you mind?!"

Tejina let his tail go. "Not that way!"

"Tael said he would keep the Guard distracted until we got back."

"I think I hear footsteps. The Guard's coming!"

"They're noisy and clank when they walk, it can't be."

"It's downwind. We don't know what's down there-"

"There's nothing down there." He started walking again.

"You idiot!" This time Tejina's teeth bit down on his tail painfully.

It was as if she'd cast a magic spell that suddenly transformed his annoyance into real anger. Timbre whirled and snapped at her so suddenly that Tejina jumped away just in time. "That's it! I've had it with you! You're just here to insult me about everything, aren't you?"

"Tim-"

"No. You mock me, you have nothing but criticism for everything-"

"Tim-"

"No. Listen. And you push around, like this is all some kind of game. It isn't. Why can't you just leave me alone?!"

Tejina seemed to shrink. She backed away slowly, her tail between her legs, her eyes fixed fearfully on his.

Timbre stood furiously, as if his gaze alone could will her to disappear-

Then the wind shifted. With it came the odor of rusty resentment and metal. Dust, hair, oils, sweat, tanned animal skins, and-

"Bad smell," Tejina squeaked.

Timbre shivered and his fur stood up on end as his temper quickly receded into confusion and then into rising anxiety. Where had he run into that 'bad smell' before, and why was it so unsettling? Tejina's eyes had gone wide and her legs rigid. She'd completely lost her casual air of divertissement and condescension; without either she suddenly seemed so much smaller, vulnerable, and afraid.

Whatever the reason was for the menacing scent, they needed to hide, now. Remembering his hiding place from the previous night, Timbre looked behind the stack of crates directly behind the taped-off area. Good, he could still wedge himself back there. He looked back at Tejina, who had not moved since the wind shifted.

He was furious with her, but still, he couldn't just leave her there like that…she'd be seen…

"Come on, back here, quickly!" he said to her, but she didn't move. It was like she'd become a chiseled stone statue, frozen staring wide-eyed down the street. If he didn't do something, she was going to be caught out in the open. He could already hear the footsteps getting louder.

Trotting quickly back over to her, he grated, "Move!" and at the same moment headbutted her roughly in the direction of the crates. This did the trick. Tejina made a small alarmed sound and scampered into the hiding place, and Timbre swiftly followed.

He had considered running instead, but there was no knowing who or what might be lurking along the street this time. Last time he'd panicked and been very lucky that he'd run into a friend. There was no knowing if that luck would hold out. Behind the crates, they weren't out of danger, but at least it was more secure than running blindly around in the open.

Who's an idiot now, he thought triumphantly. He was about to turn and tell Tejina this when he noticed the utterly haunted look in her wide eyes. She shivered fitfully, ears back, leaning heavily against his right side in the cramped quarters. Something about this had her completely spooked. Timbre held his breath. The quiet footsteps told the approach of at least two people, heavy-set ones by the echo.

Please just pass by, please, he implored silently, then his ears cupped forward. Whoever it was, they were talking in low tones.

"Is this the place?" the first voice was rough, masculine, and husky.

"Yes, we cordoned off the area, so the prints wouldn't be swept away. See?" a second voice, also male, but much more polite.

"Aye." There was a groan and a grunt as if the owner of the first voice had bent down. The bad smell became nearly overpowering. "Hmm…"

"So, what do you think?" he second voice asked.

There was a long pause, and then the first man's voice became serious. "Well, this situation has become very interesting. You were right. Definitely not a dog, the pads are too widely spaced. But it's not a Wolfos either, the claws aren't long enough."

"What?" There was a troubled cough.

"Viscen, you ever seen a Wolfos track?" The first voice became condescending and exasperated. Timbre blinked. Captain Viscen? Oh no-

"Their paws are huge, with claws sometimes up to 2 inches long. It makes a more impressionable print then these-"

Suddenly Timbre remembered where he'd run into the other man, and what Tejina had called the 'bad smell' before. The Laundry Pool this morning, the huge man in the furs, the ones that smelled like-

"What's this?" Viscen interrupted Timbre's train of thought, and he heard the sound of something being picked up. "Rupees?" Aha, he found it, Timbre thought. "And a note…hmm, what do you make of this, Veneer?"

There was a snort from the man named Veneer. "Let me see that paper a moment." There was a momentary rustling, then another snort. "Look at those even indents on the paper. Hmm…well I'll be…"

"What?"

"Well, those intents are tooth marks. You see, here, and here. The creature that made those prints is also the one responsible for this."

"What?" This time Viscen sounded very unnerved. The acrid smell of sweat and metal swirled about.

There was a long pause, and then: "Viscen, do you have any records of shapeshifters in your city?"

"Of what?!" Viscen sounded as if he thought his companion clearly mad.

"Shapeshifters. Form changers. Do you know of any living in this city?"

"Of any what?"

There was an exasperated sigh. "Let me ask again. Does the term 'wolf' mean anything to you?"

A deep pit had been slowly forming in Timbre's stomach, but Veneer's last question almost made him bark aloud in shock. As ice seemed to run through his whole body, Tejina's bass drum heartbeat hammered even more frantically against his side. He tried to keep his mind off his immediate panic by concentrating on the men's argument.

"Well, I've heard of Wolfos, bu-"

"Don't be foolish, you know what I said, Captain."

"W-well, yes. I've heard the word before-"

"Well, to refresh your memory, O fearless Captain Viscen, a Wolfos is a fearsome beast, but a wolf is a demon that can change its shape at will. It can appear human one moment, and the next become a beast not unlike your typical Wolfos. Smart as a human but with a Wolfos' murderous instinct, incredibly dangerous. Born killers. You've heard of them before, I know you have."

"W-well, there's stories, b-but I always thought they were…you know, extinct. Or just made up. There's been no record of any sort of creature like that here in living memory. It couldn't possibly-"

"Oh you fool," the Veneer's voice became very bitter.

"There isn't a…it couldn't possibly be-"

There was no speaking, which probably meant Veneer was simply glaring at the Captain. Viscen's voice sighed in resignation.

"Are you sure this is what we're dealing with? Have you ever dealt with a…a wolf, before?"

There was a long pause, and then: "I have. I've been a hunter my entire life, Captain. My father and his father before him were hunters as well. And we have all run into these beasts at one time or another, and seen what they are capable of. Trust me when I say I know what we're dealing with, here."

And then suddenly Timbre realized what the furs lining Veneer's cloak were.

Wolf furs. Timbre shuddered, feeling suddenly sick.

Viscen spoke. "What about this paper? Why would it-"

"Well, I could say I was a prince, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm telling the truth! These beasts are cunning. If it thinks it might have been detected, it might attempt to throw you off its trail. If I hadn't been here, you would have eventually convinced yourself that someone's dog had caused an accident, and the owner anonymously paid the damages, aye?"

Viscen said nothing.

"Like I said, they're smart."

"It hasn't harmed anyone yet."

"Key word there is 'yet,' Viscen. If the beast is here, it will be here for a reason. Looking for an opportunity, perhaps? And opportunity could easily be a wandering child, or an elder. Possibly a soldier not paying attention at his post…"

"You said it is intelligent. Can't it be reasoned with?"

Of course it can! Timbre thought indignantly. If you humans weren't so eager to kill it first!

"…I have yet to be able to reason with one," was all Veneer would say.

"Fine. Then what can we do, if there's something loose that looks human, and seems human, but isn't?" Viscen stammered. "I mean, I can't just announce this in the middle of the Festival! Especially after last spring, the last thing I want in this city is another panic on my hands. The reputation of this city-"

"Your hands and your city, Captain, I'll have nothing to do with your political affairs. You hired me to alleviate your little problem here, and if that means int-"

"Veneer, our agreement was for a discreet disposal." Timbre swallowed hard. It was incredibly difficult to sit still and listen to the plans for one's own extermination. Tejina shivered into him. Viscen's voice grew hard. "That bargain still stands. I want you to catch this thing, and I want you to do it quietly. Surely a hunter of your experience should be able to do this. You can either keep this business between me and my Guard or you can consider yourself dismissed. I am very serious."

Veneer growled a little under his breath, but ultimately had to submit to this declaration. "For your sake," he muttered, "I hope nobody is attacked by the beast before I find it. It's going to be very difficult, nigh impossible to pull it out of a crowd like your Festival without rousing some sort of suspicion."

"For now," Viscen said, "Let me offer a compromise. I will double the patrols, and order all four gates locked at night. Nobody will enter or leave Clock Town without going thorough some sort of investigation first. It might raise a few eyebrows, but I could easily spread the rumor of a burglar." There was a jangling as if Viscen had pocketed the Rupees.

"Fair enough, Viscen. You might be a puppet, but at least you've got a little sense."

"Now," Viscen started, ignoring the last comment. "Is there any way we'll know this…this wolf…when we see it?"

"As they are natural shapeshifters, it will be difficult. It's one of the reasons they're so dangerous. But yes, there are a few things to watch out for. Now, judging by the distance between tracks, this one's not fully grown…"

"Not fully grown?" Viscen repeated nervously.

"Oh yes. I'd say this one's still a juvenile, same for its human form. That does narrow down the search."

"Not by much."

"Yes yes, I know, don't want to exert your force any more then they're used to. I mean if that layabout we met a few minutes ago is any representative-"

"Are there any other distinguishing features, Veneer? At least in the stories I've heard there always are."

Veneer chuckled. "Now who's changing the subject? Hah. Yes, well, the stories did get that right. No shapeshifter can ever fully hide its true nature, if you know what to look for. One thing to look for is the hands. It'll be wearing gloves in human form."

"Gloves?"

"Odd as it may sound, wolves always have gloves in human form. Maybe just one, maybe a matching pair, maybe an unmatched pair, maybe fingerless, maybe not, but always gloves."

Timbre swallowed.

"Gloves, right. That's easy enough, though again, not very distinctive. Anything else?"

"Their eyes. Their eyes can't quite hide the beast lurking within. They'll reflect bright light, just like a cat's."

"Hmm. Again, not very helpful. Shining lights in people's eyes at the town entrances would certainly raise a few eyebrows. But maybe if we claim the burglar has unusual eyes-"

"Hmm, there may be hope for you yet, Viscen."

The Captain grumbled at the condescending voice. "So when we find it-"

"That part would be my job, Viscen."

"Certainly. But how can I instruct my guards to defend themselves if need be?"

"Well, fighting a single wolf – they're about as your normal Wolfos, and can be dispatched in a similar way. Of course, if you aren't expecting it, or against a pack…"

"Veneer!"

"My apologies. Heh. Another thing. They're weak to silver. Not like how you've heard, though. The stories make it sound like the stuff is poisonous to them, but that's nonsense. Pure silver metal simply inhibits certain types of magical processes, like those that shapeshifters use to change form. Get a wolf in direct contact with some silver, and they'll be stuck as whatever they are, beast or human, until they're free of it again."

Timbre chanced a glance at Tejina, whose eyes were now firmly shut.

"Good, then I'll relay this to my Guard. They're already posted at the four entrances. We usually guard the gates night and day, and since we're in heightened security due to the Festival we've been checking those who enter as well. These extra measures we discussed can be easily taken."

"Are you going to tell any of this to your Mayor?" Veneer called to the retreating sound of footsteps.

After a moment's pondering, Viscen gave his answer. "I believe I will keep this to myself, at least for the time being. The Mayor's a very nervous man with a lot on his plate already. No, news like this is bound to cause him alarm and untold stress. Best try to first work this out quietly."

-;O;-

Now that Viscen had taken his leave, Veneer allowed himself a more thorough investigation of the area. Turning his head, he judged the angle of momentum of the crate, based on the position of the destroyed crate and bottles. Now Viscen said he came up from the southern end, which seems correct, as the prints point north, towards the opposite end of the street…

Here the tracker paused a moment, thinking. If his quarry had run away in response to the arrival of the Guard, then it could have slipped out of Clock Town's western gate. He'd have to investigate the area later to prove his idea, but he had business here first.

Judging from the height needed to cause the crate to come to pieces, Veneer judged that it had probably originated on top of the eight remaining crates. In order for the crate to fall forwards as it had, then something must have knocked or pushed it from the other side, while on top of the pyramid.

Furrowing a brow, Veneer cleared his throat. Why on top, though? Height was usually a benefit in that it gave on a better view of its surroundings. And situated behind the ninth crate before it had fallen would've proved both a good vantage point as well as a good hiding place.

But what exactly was it doing here? Veneer turned his head. There didn't seem to be any tactical advantage, unless it had been specifically waiting for somebody to pass by. Too bad there were few witnesses, the man thought. If there had been, his job would be so much easier. But the only people the Guard had seen that night had claimed to see nothing, at least that's what Viscen had told him.

And any of those same witnesses could have been the wolf in disguise. What if there was something behind the crate, he suddenly thought. Maybe it was lurking behind there, and something spooked it. Veneer raised an eyebrow. Giving himself the benefit of the doubt, he knelt down, on the left side of the stack.

Behind the crate, two pairs of eyes slowly widened as Veneer's knees came into view, and the smell of his fur lined cloak became overwhelming. Veneer was just bending down when-

A loud clatter abruptly echoed through the night.

Veneer started, drawing his hunting knife. Behind the crate, Timbre's ears lifted in confusion. Veneer's scent was intense, but there was a second scent that hadn't been there a moment ago. It smelled of coffee and beeswax, and it was familiar. Timbre wrinkled his nose, his eyes wide in recognition.

But how did Sond-

Veneer growled. It had been a long time since he'd been startled. Apparently he was a little more focused on this investigation then he'd thought. Turning his head to the left, he stood and peered northwards down the dark street.

There was an eerie giggle.

Behind Veneer, a violet glow looped over the high roofs and quickly slipped into the space behind the crates. Both wolves stared upwards at it, their hearts still racing as Tael made the 'quiet' handsignal. He pointed at both of them, then towards the south. Get going, now! Both of you! Timbre nodded vigorously, and took the fairy's advice. He had to gently nudge Tejina along, but her legs seemed to be working properly again.

Veneer scowled, trying to hold in some measure of patience. He peered into the darkness. "Who's there?" He called out.

The darkness giggled again. From up ahead, a faint golden light flickered.

"Hey mister!"

"What the-" Veneer brandished his knife at the voice behind him, only to be greeted by a blinding purple aura. "Argh!" The man lunged at the fairy, but missed. Tael whooped, then sped off southwards after the wolves.

Around the corner, Sond heard this cue and quickly slipped away, extinguishing the Light Arrow. Her Kokiri-made boots made barely any sound as she ran northwards down the cobblestone street. Turning sharply to the right, she passed the statue of an owl with outspread wings. As she ran, the Clock Tower turned the half-hour.

The hunter rubbed his eyes in aggravation. Before anything else occurred, he stuck his head behind the crates and glared around. Lights were still dancing in his vision, but it was clear to see there was nothing there. With a growl, Veneer pounded his fist into the hard stone ground, ignoring the pain this caused. Then sighing, Veneer pulled himself upright, rubbing his temples.

"I hate fairies," he grumbled.

-;O;-

They made their escape easily enough. Keeping to the walls, Timbre and Tejina slipped from shadow to shadow, nosing behind tents and their snoring occupants, or sometimes squashing themselves between kiosks. There were enough Guards about to make them extra cautious.

As they moved along the walled circumference of Clock Town, they didn't speak. Timbre led, Tejina following silently. Timbre finally stopped behind a kiosk next to a small alleyway in East Clock Town. Tejina looked at him in mute confusion.

"Yes, I know we've gone past the Inn." He glanced nervously from side to side. "It's just…you heard Viscen and that other guy talking, right?"

Tejina agreed meekly, waving her tail once, her eyes downcast.

"Look, if we don't both leave Clock Town tonight, it's going to be very difficult to leave later. There's going to be Guards everywhere come tomorrow. It's best if we leave as soon as possible."

Tejina stared at the ground for a moment, ears twitching. Then finally she looked up again. Her tail waved again in tacit agreement.

Timbre wished she would speak to him. It made him feel too much like he was giving orders. "Right. There's a way down into the sewers from here. That leads into a passageway down to the Astral Observatory. And there's a door leading outside of town. There's a fence, but we can jump it easily enough. This way." He led the way down into the dark alley, squeezing easily into a wide culvert that led into Clock Town's storm sewer. The air became dank and heavy with the smell of mold and rodents.

As they walked, Timbre chanced a look back at Tejina. He'd been quite angry with her, and there was still part of him yet that was angry yet. However, he vividly recalled the haunted look in her eyes when she'd scented the hunter, and he felt suddenly responsible. She hadn't been the one who'd put the town on high alert, after all; that was his doing. She'd come here as a simple performer, unawares and blameless, even if she had then barged her way into his business. If anything happened to her-

"Timbre."

He quickly turned his nose forwards as she spoke. "Hmm?"

"About before. I didn't mean to insult you."

"Hmph."

"And you're right. I shouldn't make light of this. I was just trying to help."

"…watch out, there's Skulltullas down here sometimes." He jumped suddenly across a water channel as if making a point of not responding to her directly.

Tejina followed gracefully. "It's just…I've never actually met another wolf before, and…I-I just wanted to, well-"

That gave him pause. "Never?"

There was no immediate reply, but he was pretty sure she'd silently confirmed this.

"So Kei and Ana-"

"They found me when I was very young. I don't remember anything from before then."

"Oh."

Tejina wrinkled her nose, her confidence slowly returning. "It smells funny in here…" she declared suddenly. "And it's wet too, my paws are soaked."

"Well, I did say it was storm drain, not a garden path. And it's not sewage in this part, just stagnant water, see?"

"It smells like there's mice down here. Do you ever hunt mice?"

"Sometimes. Yes."

"Kei really doesn't like it when I do. Ana just says I should keep it to myself." She seemed amused at the idea. "Do your friends mind?"

"Well, Nick hates it," Timbre admitted, "But the others don't seem to mind as much, or if they do, they don't admit it." They continued down the wet passageway for another moment. The silence felt awkward, so he added, "I caught my first rabbit this spring."

She made a sound that indicated both delight and envy. "And how did your friends react to that one?"

"Well actually…that's kind of how they found out what I really was…anyway, here's the ladder. It leads up to the Observatory from here-" Here several moments were taken in conquering the vertical climb. The ladder required hands and therefore a switch to human form.

Timbre was familiar with the climb; he made it to the top first, and was waiting for Tejina to follow when her foot unexpectedly slipped on one of the rungs. She yelped as she lost her balance and fell backwards. But she abruptly stopped her yell as she realized she was no longer falling. Opening one eye, she discovered Timbre had grabbed her by the wrist.

A moment's scramble later and she'd made it to high ground. "Uh…thanks." She stammered, looking a little pink in the dim light.

Timbre quickly looked the other way. "Uh, yeah…be careful next time, okay? Come on, the observatory's right ahead…"

-;O;-

Frustrated, Timbre rattled the doorknob leading to the outside of the Observatory. It was no use; the door was locked. Tejina chewed her lip, agitated.

"It's locked?!" She hissed urgently.

Timbre's eyes narrowed, but he couldn't look at her. "It's locked," he sighed. He stopped himself from kicking the door, as that wouldn't help things any and only create noise.

The colorful Astral Observatory was closed, as the old man who ran it was out of town for the Festival. He'd locked the place up, probably out of concern of curious hands damaging the intricate instruments. The astronomer's careful planning had unfortunately spelled trouble for two children.

The girl began to nervously pace back and forth, from the door, to the small exhibit that held a stone known as the Moon's Tear. It glowed faintly in the dark domed building. "So what do we do now?" She said, looking back at Timbre.

The boy started. He hadn't realized it until now, but the look on her face was quite frightened. He'd managed to alert her to the fact that they were literally stuck in Clock Town, and now that their only means of leaving the town had been locked, her eyes were filled with apprehension. He suddenly felt terrible about everything.

"I've made a mess of everything, and now you're stuck in it too."

Tejina blinked. "What?"

"I mean, if I hadn't tried to snoop on your disappearing act, none of this would've happened! That crate would still be intact, Viscen wouldn't have a clue I was here, and that…ugh, hunter, wouldn't have come. And you wouldn't have gotten involved. It's all my fault!"

Despite everything, Tejina's eyes lit up and she faintly giggled.

"Guess I should be flattered," she said with half a smile.

"Hey, this is serious! What're we gonna do?"

"Tim, do you know why Kei and I do my disappearing act as a finale? Don't argue for a moment, just listen."

He glowered at her, and she quickly added, "Please." He sighed and gestured for her to carry on.

"The reason we do that part last is because it wouldn't have half the impact it does if I simply reappeared moments later. As far as the audience is concerned, once I vanish, I'm gone for good. It's all part of the trick, don't you see?"

"Okay…"

"So that's exactly what we'll do, a disappearing act. Viscen doesn't actually have proof you're still in the city, for all he knows you might've left long before he put up the extra Guard. So if nothing happens for the rest of the Festival-"

"-he'll lay off since he thinks I'm no longer here!" Timbre looked impressed. "That might just work! But…what if he doesn't lower the security right away? Won't you and Kei and Ana have to leave right after the festival?"

"We have a better chance of that not being an issue if we make ourselves scarce for a day or so."

"Okay then," Timbre let the door alone. "So where do we go?"

"Can't we stay here? It isn't so bad a place."

"We can't. There's a gang of kids in town called the Bombers, and they use this place as their hideout. Even though it's closed, they're friends with the old man who runs this place, and they've probably promised to keep an eye on things. I think for now we'd better get back to the Inn."

"Kei and Ana are probably getting worried by now," Tejina agreed. "And they might be able to help."

"I don't think going back to the Mayor's would be such a good idea for me anymore. Hmm…I hope Sond and Tael got back okay. We really need to thank her later if we can find her. Now let's get out of here before we break something."

"Race you!" Tejina grinned, suddenly changing forms and dashing off down the stairs. Timbre stared in bewilderment. One moment she's ready to scream from panic, then she brushes it off as if it were nothing. He was never, ever going to understand this girl. He then rolled his eyes and followed suit, nearly falling nose over tail down the stairs in his impatience to catch up.

Making it back along the passage took a shorter time than going up it. For one thing, they simply jumped down the ladder as opposed to climbing down. The water was easy enough to jump across, and this time Tejina didn't complain about the smell. Timbre was still trying to catch up to her, and failing. He caught her dark tailtip flicking around the corner that led steeply upwards towards the entrance ramp. Narrowing his eyes, he charged up the ramp-

And abruptly collided with her. His momentum had the unfortunate side effect of slamming both of them into the reason that Tejina had halted in the first place.

That reason was a small nine-year old boy named Jim, leader of the Bombers Secret Society of Justice.

-;O;-

Sond was clear across East Clock Town when she heard Jim's screams.

"AIYEEEEEEEEE!"

By Farore's wind, she thought, recognizing the voice. That kid screams like a Redead. Abandoning her previous direction, she dusted herself off. Tael jumped off her shoulder as Sond ran off in the direction of the disturbance.

"That can't be good," he groaned, stating the completely obvious. He then followed after the girl as fast as his wings could carry him.

-;O;-

At first, both of them had stared in blank shock at the small boy. Then Jim had screamed, and it was like they'd suddenly remembered they had legs. Sheer panic drove caution to the winds, and the two of them bolted side-by-side, straight through East Clock Town without any mind to hiding or concealment.

Then the first Guard arrived, running towards the sound of Jim's hysterics. They saw him at the same time he spotted them. The guard yelled in alarm and started to lower his spear.

As if the two of them had long practiced the maneuver, the wolves neatly separated and slipped around the guard on either side, as if he were merely a stone diverting a stream. As soon as they were past, they both fell back into step, quickly turning their flight towards the Inn, the guard's yells fading quickly behind them.

Jim's screams had met several other pairs of ears. Many of the occupants of the tents lining the streets poked sleepy heads out, blinking in confusion at the sudden noise. Within several minutes Jim had attracted every free member of the Clock Town Guard, including Captain Viscen and Veneer, to his side.

"Sir!" The guard who had seen Timbre and Tejina saluted. "I saw the Wol-" he withered as Viscen suddenly rounded on him.

"Quiet! Do you want to panic the town? Get all these citizens out of here. Hold on a moment." Viscen stooped quickly as the boy continued to make a cacophonous fuss. Many sleep-tousled heads were now peering intently down at them out of windows in the local district. The guards bustled about, reassuring the merchants that they had everything under control. Most of the civilians grumbled, but retreated without much argument.

Veneer, who was still in a bad mood from his earlier encounter, suggested that they gag the child until he was ready to calm down. He then promptly ignored the myriad of glares this comment received.

"No, in cases like this it's best to let him calm down by himself."

"But it might be getting away!"

"No, all the gates are locked. They're all guarded by trusted men that wouldn't leave their posts, unless ordered to. Now my boy," he began kindly to Jim, who'd gone from all out hysterics to whimpering, "do you think you could tell us what you saw?"

Jim blubbered a little, rubbing his tear-streaked face with the back of his hand. "T-t-two!"

"What? Take your time."

"Oh for the Goddess's mercy, just tell us where it went, boy!" Veneer snapped.

Jim sniffled. "S-sorry s-sirs…b-but there were t-two!"

"What is he babbling about?" Veneer scowled.

"Two what?" Viscen asked calmly. "Tell me quietly."

"Two Wolfos! I was j-just walkin' 'cause Professor Shikashi said to watch 'is place an' they ran into m-me!"

Veneer's eyes widened and he half-gasped. "Two? Where did they go, boy?! Tell me!"

"…dunno."

Veneer growled. "Lousy kids-"

"Quiet, Veneer," Viscen ordered, beckoning to one of the guards. "You, er, Alf!"

"Sir?"

"You said you saw them?"

"Yes sir. I tried to stop them but they both slipped right past me."

"Where did they head?"

A mailed hand, still shaking slightly, pointed in the general direction of the Stock Pot Inn. "They want that way, sir."

Jim looked up at Viscen. "Do I get a reward f' being so brave?"

Viscen chuckled gently; he was glad the boy wasn't really injured. "I think something like that would be in order…"

Meanwhile, Veneer had slipped away the instant the guard had pointed him, as silent and intent as a great cat on the hunt.