Rodrick followed the Miakkyra’s trail for over an hour, even though he was severely limited in the dark of night. In the end he was forced to surrender and return to the tavern, where he slammed a flagon of beer on the table and turned to his students. “Well, we have certainly gotten ourselves into a pickle! It seems we’ve traded one foul beast for an even fouler one, and one that I fear you are not ready to face, but alas I cannot face it alone. You did not agree to such a mission, so if you wish to leave I will not stop you.” No one moved, or even said a word, though all were afraid in their own way. Rodrick nodded. “Good! The more the merrier! So, here’s what we’re going to do…”
The next day they arose early and set out for the town square, where markets were held every now and then, and large gatherings of people attended in the many festivities. Rodrick was sure that their culprit would be there. He explained that never in the history of the academy had a Miakkyra fled an area after encountering a Slayer, and it was his suggestion that the Miakkyra’s hatred of Slayers outweighed their instinctual fear.
By late in the morning the square was full and rather colourful as an ocean of people moved here and there, chattering away and visiting stalls. The aroma of freshly cooked meat filled the air as lunchtime came around. Victor was eating an apple and wandering around with Sam; were it not for the hideous creature that was likely to be stalking him, it might have been a wonderful day.
Rodrick appeared to be resting comfortably on a bench near the centre of the square, wearing a straw hat to cover his distinctive red hair, which he was sure the vampyre would recognise. He explained to Victor that he had narrowed the search down to four possible suspects. “The blonde woman in the flowery dress, the bald man by the shoe store, the old lady over there, and the young lady in the green dress; they are all left handed and they’ve avoided that perfume store all day, plus they appear to be looking for someone.”
“What does the perfume store have to do with anything?” asked Hansel.
Rodrick raised his head. “It’s a hot day, the direct sunlight will be putting enough strain on their etheric disguises already, but a substance as rich as perfume might undo their shadowy lies. Look at the girl in green; there is a slight distortion of light just above her head.”
Victor nodded. “It would be caused by the illusion!”
“Quite right,” said Rodrick. “But it’s too feint to tell for sure.” He stood up and removed from his coat a glass bottle of perfume. Slowly making his way to where the young suspect was standing, he ‘accidently’ dropped the vial near her feet, where it shattered on the ground. The woman immediately gave it a careful glance and then quickly stepped away.
Rodrick signalled for the others to surround her, making sure she would not escape when he made his move, which was not as subtle as they might have suspected. Rodrick stood casually next to the woman once again, and she glanced at him and smiled, but did nothing. Rodrick smiled back, and taking another bottle of perfume from his coat, he raised it up and sprayed the woman’s face. Immediately her complexion wavered like dissipating mist and the true grotesque form was revealed. The surrounding people began to scream and run (as any ordinary citizen would do) and Rodrick found himself again locked in combat with the tall sinewy monster.
It lashed at him with its claws and managed to throw him into a fruit stand before bolting away into the crowd. Rodrick tumbled over as apples and oranges rolled away. He aimed his pistol but dared not risk shooting a civilian. “Dammit! Get away! Get out of my shot!” He chased it, and rendezvoused with the others as they tried to cut it off. “Don’t let it escape it again,” he yelled. It was heading for the alley.
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