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Angua ran and ran, across moorlands,
through forests and over streams. Eventually she stopped to rest, she
lay down under a big tree panting. She must have fallen asleep as she
awoke to a "thwang" and an arrow pierced the trunk just above her head.
Instinctively she growled and could just make out voices.
"Idiot you missed her, she's awake now"
"Are you sure this is the right one?"
"The badge on her collar kinda gives the game away, don't you think!"
"Try again and this time don't miss! There's $100 for anyone bringing
her in alive"
"Are you sure this tranquilliser will work, it won't kill her will it?"
"It didn't kill you, did it? Now just shut up and shoot"
Angua got to her feet, "Thwang" a second arrow shot past her ear and embedded
itself in the trunk. Slowly she started to advance on the two men, trying
to decide which to go for first, when she heard "MISS! THIS WAY, QUICK!"
She turned around and saw a man on horseback riding towards her. She ran
towards him and leapt onto the back of the horse, she started to slide
off the other side until the man wrapped one arm around her, the horse
reared at the sudden change of weight. The man coaxed it on and soon they
were galloping away through the woods.
The two men looked at each other as $100 rode off into the sunset.
"There always has to be a hero!" exclaimed one.
"Phrruummpphh" sighed the other.
Eventually they came to rest by a small stream and Angua jumped down looking
sad and confused. She had left behind her a life that, although not ideal,
she loved and now she was being shot at. What had they meant "Brought
in alive"? The man jumped down and the horse lowered it's head to graze.
Angua turned to look at the man properly. He was in his early twenties,
tall and very handsome. There was also something vaguely familiar about
his smell - she couldn't quite remember... something. He spoke, his voice
was calm and reassuring, and for the first time in the last few days Angua
felt safe. "Here miss you might want to change into these."
He laid some clothes on the ground in front of her, and turned his back
to protect her dignity.
She morphed again and quickly put on the clothes.
"You can turn round now" she said, "who are you, how did you know?" the
confusion showing in her voice.
He turned and motioned her to sit with him on the bank of the stream.
"My name is Karl, I was sent to find you, and if you mean how did I know
what you are - isn't it obvious, the same way as deep down you know what
I am"
Angua thought about this for a moment and then she remembered, her senses
had become so mixed up with confusion that she hadn't recognised it before,
but now it was so clear - the scent hit her hard, and it was like coming
home - the unmistakable smell of a male wolf.
As they arrived at the den Karl helped Angua down
and showed her where all the tunnels were. When they reached the centre
of the tunnel network, Angua discovered a room, full of, erm, well, one
painting. The plaque underneath it said, 'Silvertail, with daughter Angua'.
"Father?" said Angua, "Me?."
"Yes" said Karl, "and I am Karlos Marious von Uberwalde, your brother!".
*****
"And that's what
happened" said Ridcully to Kylah, who had just, eh, discovered what happened.
She asked if the University had a newspaper, and when the Bursar gave
her it she ran to the head office of the Ankh-Morporkian advertiser and
placed an advert for a detective. Sadly, however, Rincewind, the incompetent
wizard, who had just finished reading Shjerwook Molmes's detective adventures,
was the first to read the advert.
"I want to see him now." demanded Kylah, "Please?!"
she added sweetly to ensure a victory over the iciness of the Archchancellor.
"Very well, I suppose you have to...you... are related... Mrs Whitlow?"
Kylah and Jhasi the musician were led into a poorly lit room, where a
pale, and still figure lay. The wound in his side was obviously not healing
as the sheets were badly stained.
"Why do you care so much about what has happened?" asked Jhasi sourly,
"He never cared about the family, you all came second to magic, that's
what you told me."
"He didn't care....mother always denies it...but I care...he may not be
the best brother I could have. But the point is......he's family...I-I.."
"You needn't have put that ad in the newspaper, the Watch will deal with
it...after all, everything points to one of their men."
"It was a spur of the moment thing, I wanted to make things right. You
can't blame me for that." Jhasi frowned at her, then began to roll a cigarette.
"Smoke it outside! He's barely breathing as it is!"
*****
Vague recollections
raced across Angua's mind, memories and thoughts hadn't been too clear
over the last few days. She began to try and piece it all together. A
sudden thought hit her like a lightening bolt.
"What did I come here for?" she said aloud to no one in particular.
"What?" asked Karl surprised.
"I don't know why I came Karl, I think something is going on.....I just
don't understand..."
"We presumed that you came for a visit. You called to us the other night....."
he said in confused tones, "...You don't remember, do you?" he added as
he saw the puzzled look on Angua's face.
"Karl, I want to see father. Take me to him." |