A silverish sky stretched above the city of Holdan. Enormous fog roamed outside, rising above the highest of the buildings. Trapped in the pale clouds, steam-machines illuminated with magnificent glow. From the mechanical cores, gentle gritting spread far.

Most places were filled with the common folk. Traders packed up their belonging while discussing the gossips of the day. Children whispered, with faces of disappointment, as the candy shop man hushed them away. Signs in several shops flipped to “closed”. The movements of life and the mechanical presence formed a special atmosphere, in the city’s scene.

Not every corner was busy, however. Some were already, rather quiet. Pulsed by the awakening sparks of lampposts, streets and roads shifted into new form. The sunlight above barely reached through the cold clouds now. With busyness disappearing, so did the people. Soon, all that the eye could see morphed into a blurred shape, under the evening’s cobalt gloom.

One building stood out on this street, however. Warm-orange light leaked through its decorated windows, moving silhouettes casting shadows over it. Rollicking music captivated the street and the by-passer’s ears, numb yet flavourful vibes spreading all across.

A handful of men were sitting at the entrance, around an old wrecked table. Smoking cigar, playing with cards, they also enjoyed the company of women. Loughs and cursing dwelled in the air, consumed in the puffed smoke clouds.

Above all, a large sign was resting: “The Golden Hound Pub”.

A hasty chariot appeared from the fog. Four ebon-black horses pulling it rampaged through the cobles. Bits of stones bounced all over the street, bowing to the brute force of the animals. The carter riding above whistled. A nightmarish screech followed, with the transgression of the street’s quiet. Wild embers emerged, crackling in the path of the stopping wheels. The card playing men paused their game and watched.

Stillness returned again, the chariot standing and meres breathing loud, pulsating their nostrils. The elderly cart driver took a sassy look at the pub, then at the people around the table.

“Evening boys,” he said confidently, “…and ladies,” he unexpectedly continued, winking at a pale-legged courtesan.

The chariot’s door opened. A young, brunette gentleman emerged from the vehicle’s dark, with movements as sensible as a dancer. The brown dress he wore seemed fair and expensive. His face had a curvy but strong jaw line, bordered with light stubble.

He looked around, as if he was expecting something to be there. Then he showed a disappointed face.

“Hmmm…seems like she’s not here, after all, ” he said.

Another shape followed the man. A blonde girl rose out of the blackness, dressed in magnificent blue clothes. The girl was almost identical to the man, with the exception of her hair colour.

“Daniel and Emily Blackhart..” whispers echoed from the standing men. They raised their hat, than sat down to continue their fun.

Emily looked around, squinting with her eyes, “Up there, the clock-shop,” she pointed at the rooftops.

There was a faint shadow cutting through the fog, moving towards them.

Daniel released a welcoming smile as the fog’s embrace vanished around the figure. It seemed like a female shape.

She dropped from the top of the building, smoothly landing on one of the pledges, and then finally on the cobble. Brown dust curled up when the body hit the stone ground.

Daniel turned around quickly “Pardon, sir. Here, for the quick ride,” he then threw a bag of coins at chariot carter.

“You ain’t got to thank, boy. Let your old one know he owes me a pint sometime.” The carter winked and threw the bag back. He grabbed the reins, signing for the horses to go.

The chariot quickly vanished in the grey ocean of fog.

Daniel just stared at the leaving vehicle, blank, slightly confused.

“Would he know who we are? Or who father is?” Emily asked.

“He’s an old friend to him,” a cold voice answered.

The twins turned around and found the girl standing close to them with her arms folded. They didn’t even hear her approaching steps.

She had long, wavy rays of forest brown hair and glowing, oil green eyes. The right side of her face was covered in metallic plates. Ebon-dark blood decorated her white shirt, seemingly fresh.

“But of course, none of you would know Isaac,” she continued, “So…What brings you back here?”

Daniel’s mouth stretched all the way to the sides, “Some rumours say there’s a mad women living around this pub. Thinking herself to be a cat, chasing pigeons on rooftops. I had to come and see it for myself,”

Emily joined in with a cheeky smile “ Well, she’s more of a wild cat than a lady. She wouldn’t be allowed in a chariot,”

The green-eyed girl quickly responded, “I wonder what ladies travel in filthy chariots. Is that dust on your skirt?”

Emily tried to act like she took the joke but her cheeks turned red. She looked down on her mucky skirt than back up, only to cross gaze with a pair of satisfied eyes.

Both the girl and Daniel shifted into laughter, and then with wide-open arms, they stepped forward to embrace each other.

“Aye, Elizabeth! It’s good to see you,” said Daniel with excitement.

Emily remained silent, nervously rubbing her dusty dress.

“Aye, it’s good to see my siblings too” said the green eyed girl.

“Now, what is it that made us come here?” Daniel asked.

“Can’t even guess. All I know that it’s important. And seeing you two here must mean it’s more important than killing some bad folk.” Elizabeth’s murky eyes aligned with her shirt.

“Well then we better go in. I don’t like to make father wait, and you two shouldn’t waste much time for chit-chats.” Said Emily and she started to walk towards the pub.

“She still doesn’t like me, “ Said Elizabeth only when Emily was away from them.

“Aye, though it doesn’t surprise me” Daniel agreed.

The three entered the pub. Emily noticed the women staring at her, and as a response, she just held her head up, not even making an eye contact.

Daniel, on the other hand, enjoyed the attention. His waggish smile encouraged some female body parts to writhe in a charming way, but it all stopped when he crossed gaze with rather angry eyes. The flexing biceps of the eye’s owner sealed the message to the young man.

“Don’t worry about that guy,” Elizabeth confronted her brother.

“Worry, huh? For now these dimwits are their fun, but tomorrow is a piece of me,” Daniel responded arrogantly.

Elizabeth chuckled “I meant that I would put a knife in their head, before they snap your delicate body, ”.

“Some things never change, “ he responded patting Elizabeth’s shoulder.

It was busy inside, but not only regular customers were present. Under the hoods, many strangers conversed with clients, thief’s traded their goods and other planned shady businesses. More hooded individuals were walking in and out of a room. Many, sitting near a dark door held coin bags. Great nervousness reflected from their grasp. Their face expression mirrored much worst.

“They are so troubled,” Emily said quietly. “What exactly are they doing here?”

“Plotting trouble for others.” Elizabeth answered coldly, and she walked forward. Emily took a look of disagreement at Daniel, who just shrugged and followed the girl.

As they walked forward, whispers began to appear: “Look at that blondie …Aye mate, she’s definitely workable….nice watch kiddo …Look at them puddings, must have some serious business here…”

Some began to laugh; others resumed speculating above sketches. But most, who took a look at Elizabeth, silently turned away.

Emily made a quick comment “I don’t like how these devils stare at us.”

“They can smell your attitude. Just blend in and…” somebody from the side tapped Elizabeth’s shoulder, before she could finish.

“Finally! All three of you have made it here. Come on now, let’s move upstairs.”

It was an old, slender man with bushy side burns, balding white hair and a pair of glasses. He hurried them through the interior, to a lonely door. A sign on it read “Entrance only for staff”. Elizabeth noticed the tiny blood drops on the old man’s vest. Clear to her, they were fresh.

When the old man led them through into a quiet room, Emily asked, “Doctor Joseph, do you have to do with our arrival?”

The doctor stopped, followed by the rest of them. He took his glasses off and opened his mouth, but no words seem to come. Then he finally talked, “Well… I wish to say something better…but unfortunately I am.” He took a deep breath and continued, “Your father had an accident. I patched him up fair, but seeing you will do the real thing. So hurry, sit beside him for a...for a while.”

“My goodness” said Emily. She ran up the stairs.

“Thank you, doctor” said Daniel who followed his sister immediately.

Before Elizabeth could move on, the doctor grabbed her arm, signing for her to stay. She gently turned around and bent her face close to the doctor’s, close enough so nobody can hear her. “I can tell that’s not even near the amount that came out of the wound.” She was pointing at the doctor’s vest, which was overlapped with transparent stains. “You’re hands are still wet…and shaking,” she added to her observation.

“…that’s…that’s right. Quiet accurate, Elizabeth.” Doctor Joseph looked down and then into the girl’s emerald eyes. “You indeed live up for your profession. You can just smell the unpleasant coming, can’t you,” he paused. “Such a terrible talent. I’ve done as much as I could. Just give him hope to fight, and then hope for the best. I’m sorry, child, however it turns out to be.” Joseph moved away. Before he past through the door, he took a look back at Elisabeth. His eyes were tragic. Then the door shut behind him.

Elizabeth just stared as the door closed. Each of Joseph’s leaving steps dug up a concern in her head. Whatever he was running from is the thing awaiting them upstairs. Her thoughts were clear, yet chaotic. Her stomach was hardening in strange movements, as a reaction to her rather conflicted mind.

“You’re coming El?” Daniel was waiting on top of the stairs. “He can’t be...no. It’s just another one of Joseph’s dramatic bullshit.” she grabbed her stomach as if it would do well for it. “Paranoia, huh” she thought.

Elizabeth finally replied “Coming”.

Daniel and Elizabeth walked through the already opened door. The room was dark, barely ignited by the fragile light from outside. Stillness was sitting around. No sound, no movement, but a freezing chill.

Than the words of a man broke the silence “Oh, at last. Come on now. I’ve been waiting”.

They started to move towards the bed with heavy steps. Emily was already sitting next to the bed, holding the man’s hand. Shiny lines illuminated her cheeks, as she casted a sorrowful gaze upon the two.