Beka's POV:
It was near the end of our watch, when we were walking by the Barrel's Bottom. Yet another bar fight had started, and we were the closest Dogs around to take care of it.
Tunstall and Goodwin glanced at each other, before Tunstall said, "Beka, watch for anyone that tries to pile back in again, and if you must join the fight, get your back to the wall and me'n Goodwin will watch out for you." He didn't say it, but we all knew he thought, not like last time.
I nodded, and without another word Tunstall and Goodwin drew their batons, whistles already in their mouths. The fight didn't look as big as last time, so they hadn't called for backup yet.
I watched the wade into the fight, yet again admiring the skill with which they knocked out the drunkards. I saw a cove sneak in behind Goodwin, raising an empty bottle. I started forward, baton out.
Before I could reach her, a voice said behind me, "Well, well. What a pretty Puppy to play with."
I spun around, cove forgotten, noticing Pounce was already gone. I trusted him to watch my Dogs for the time being, but in the meantime, I had problems of my own.
There were five hard-looking rushers, all with various weapons. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my temple, but ignored it. Why were they here? Were they counting on my Dogs being preoccupied, and me standing alone?
They spread out, two behind me, one on either side and one in front. I pulled my whistle to my mouth, managing one blast before I felt a sharp blow to my head.
I felt my whistle being yanked off of me as I fought to keep my balance. Dizzy, I struck my baton out hard at the Rat in front of me. It struck his chin, making a crunching sound. His eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed.
Vaguely I could feel a sharp pain in my elbow, but I ignored it, swinging my baton around me. I managed to knock another Rat out before one of the others wrested my baton from my grip. I snarled, kicking him hard between the legs. He doubled over, wheezing.
Someone struck my head again, hard. I fell this time, too dizzy to regain my balance. The last two coves picked me up and carried me someplace as I felt the world fading in and out of darkness.
No, I thought fiercely. I won't let some sarden Rats get the best of me.
I started to struggle, forcing my eyes open. I looked down just in time to see the ground rush up to meet me.
I felt all manner of kicks, all over my body. I grunted in pain, struggling to do something, anything, in self defense. I kicked and punched weakly, hearing them laugh at my attempts. My breath left my lungs in a whoosh as someone kicked my stomach. My stomach heaved it's contents all over the offending boot.
I managed to hook an arm around the nearest rusher's feet, pulling hard. He fell backwards, landing hard on his back. The other Rat said gruffly, "I'm tired of this game. Just kill her, so the Dogs and Rosto can find her broken body."
I saw the Rat I'd knocked down rise to his feet, something silver in his fist. I heard him whisper mockingly, "Send that Scanran pretty boy our greetings. He might be joining you soon, where you're going."
I faintly heard another voice say something with the words "get" and "Puppy", before everything went black.
ooo
I opened my eyes, wincing as something jarred my body. Looking around blearily, I realized I was moving. Looking up, I then realized that Tunstall was carrying me.
Goodwin glanced over at me, noticing I was awake. I thought I saw a fair amount of concern in her expression, before it was gone, replaced by the usual. "What were you thinking, Puppy? Why didn't you blow your whistle? You were about to be murdered before Pounce dragged us from the bar fight and lead us to you."
"I di' blowed ma whistle," I slurred, not making much sense in my own ears.
"Definitely a concussion," I heard Tunstall say above me. "You sure about this, Clary?"
"Yes," she said impatiently. "The Healer told us what to do to treat her, and she has a mage in her lodging house. You know how all of the healers are up to their necks with work from this sickness that's been cropping up everywhere, on top of the usual."
I blearily looked around, realizing we were at my lodging house. Goodwin opened the door, and Tunstall carried me in.
All noises that had filled the house stopped, immediately. I tried to focus around the room, my vision still bleary, and made out Kora, Aniki, Rosto, and several other rushers staring at my Dogs in shock. They looked like they had been arranging a table in the main hall when we walked in.
"What happened?" gasped Aniki, staring at me.
It was Tunstall who answered. "We were trying to break up a bar fight when Pounce practically attacked Clary. We followed him outside, and found two Rats knocked unconscious, a baton, and a whistle on the ground."
He paused, looking down at me for a second before continuing, "Pounce raced off and we followed him, and he took us to an alley. There was a rusher with a knife out, about to stab her. Then they saw us, and ran."
At his words, everyone in the room glanced at Rosto. He was dead white as he looked at me. "Who were they?"
"We don't know," snapped Goodwin. "It was blasted dark and we were more concerned for our Puppy than some sarden Rat."
"AND WHY," shouted Rosto, startling everyone. "DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?"
"WE DID ALL WE COULD!" shouted Goodwin, eyes blazing.
"IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH! LOOK AT HER, SHE'S YOUR PUPPY!"
"LOOK AT YOURSELF, MASTER PIPER, BEFORE YOU LAY THE BLAME ON US!"
"What?" said Rosto suddenly, shocked.
"Her attacker said, 'Send that Scanran pretty boy our greetings' just when we showed up!" said Goodwin, still looking dangerously angry.
His face paled even more, if it was possible, when he looked at me.
I was now pretty lucid after that shouting match. I didn't hurt too badly, not now, but I knew I would later. I still had adrenaline pumping through my veins. So, I decided I'd best make the most of it, and I was tired of being carried around like some frail noblewoman. I was from Mutt Piddle Lane, and wasn't about to let a few ouches stop me from finding those Rats. I've seen people carry on with worse.
"Le' go," I muttered to Tunstall, elbowing him in the chest. Surprised, his grip on me loosened, and I fell to my feet.
Standing up, I stumbled to the door. I was blocked, however, by said 'Scanran pretty boy'. Rosto looked at me, his dark eyes hard, and said, "Where do you think your going?"
"To find them as caught me outnumbered," I said, struggling to remain focus. It became harder as the ground seemed to swim underneath my feet.
"No," said Rosto. "You're going to bed."
He moved to pick me up, but I shoved him back, saying crossly, "I can walk on ma own." I took a step forward, and stumbled, the ground rushing up to meet me again. I felt hands grab me before I hit the ground, and before I knew it, I was in Rosto's arms.
"Yeah, sure you can," he said, heading for the stairs. "And I'm the King's nephew."
When we went by my Dogs, I saw Tunstall trying to hide a smile and Goodwin looking in slightly less murderous spirits. I scowled at them as Rosto made his way up the stairs.
He put me down on my bed, saying, "Go to sleep, Puppy Cooper."
I didn't realize I was this sleepy. I closed my eyes, falling to sleep almost immediately.
Authors Note:
I had a sudden urge to write a BekaRosto. Well, the number of Terrier stories is a lot higher, but...I think I've already read all of them again. So, my campaign continues!
This isn't a oneshot! w00t! I hope you like it, and thanks for reading! Please tell me if you like where this is going!!
Padfoot
