Read Monstrous Races for Free Online Page B

belongings.’
    ‘And did they find him?’
    ‘Oh yes, they don’t stop until they’ve got what they want. In this case they searched for miles, spent a fortune but got him in the end. He was disguised as a female winkle-picker by the Eastleigh estuary.’
    ‘Um, and who are they ?’ she asked, as a group of people covered all over in hair of different shades and colours walked past. On the faces their hair was shorter, and she could see that it was trimmed to be like that. They wore less clothing, she presumed because they were warmer, and they were a little taller than her.
    ‘Gorgades. Do you know I think that’s...hang on,’ he said, and ran over towards them. ‘Billy, is that you?' he asked a fair, plump ma le towards the back and the hairy group stopped in unison. 
    ‘Rufus,’ called out a sing-song voice. ‘What you doin’ back around here? We haven’t seen you for ages.’ He grabbed Rufus’ hand and shook it firmly . ‘You remember my wife Christina? And this is little Elvis,’ he added, gesturing towards a boy covered in very dark hair. ‘He’s in a band. I heard you took holy orders, I couldn’t believe it.' Some of the group sniggered.
    ‘Yes, that’s the reaction I thought I’d get being back here. It’s good to see all of you, you’re looking well. Billy particularly,’ said Rufus, pointing to his rotund belly. ‘How have you been?’
    ‘We’re good, thank you,’ said Billy. ‘We’ve still got the laundry business and the inn, you’ll have to come over and see it. We’ve gone up-market now, only the best. Tiny meals and everything. Goat cuisine, the best goat in Brayston. How about you, did you get chucked out?’ As there was no trace of a smile Elli presumed he meant it.  
    ‘No, not quite. This is Elli, and we’re spending some time here, seeing old friends and family. I’m her...guardian.’ There was a long pause.
    ‘You. Her guardian. Oh, right. Well, come on over and have some goat. If you need anything my love, you make sure you find us,’ he said, addressing Elli and taking her by the hand. ‘My wife makes a marvellous apple pie, you’re always welcome.’ Elli couldn’t be sure, but she thought his wife might have blushed beneath her hair.
    Rufus gestured for a cart to stop for them, and after haggling about the price they got in and looked out at the rich tapestry of life in Brayston. The buildings here were higher than any she’d ever seen and crept upwards, tilting towards each other like neglected, yellowing teeth. She saw brightly coloured birds for sale in rusty cages, and they rode past a farmers' market where a creature the size of a horse was being sold. It was jet black, and had one horn pointing forward and the other backwards, penned in as farmers and butchers scrabbled to make their bids.
    ‘A yale,’ said Rufus lazily. ‘They can move their horns and make good eating.'
    They sped on through imposing alleys and beneath dark bridges, past buildings that were barely more than shacks and converted stables (‘now worth a premium,’ Rufus told her) until they finally reached their destination, a group of houses that seemed to have been dropped into the ground from a great height. The sun had set now, and in the evening darkness Rufus and Elli took their bags and got down from the cart. The road was deserted, and the only sign of life were the few lit candles that twinkled from the small windows. The cart moved on and left them standing alone with their bags.
    ‘Is this the right place?’ whispered Elli, looking around at the tall shadows and feeling the weight of the heavy silence. ‘Only it doesn’t seem too safe.’ Rufus smiled and held up his right hand to which every door in the road opened. People of all shapes and sizes ran out, dog-heads, humans, gorgades and others, all rushing towards them and shaking them by the hand or kissing them on the cheek. There were questions and excited faces from every angle, until at the back of the