Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce-d my heart when Beka didn't end up with Rosto.
It was deep into the evening, the court well closed already. We gathered around Rosto's throne, all of us - Kora, Aniki, Phelan and I - awaiting news of Beka.
A sudden roar shook me from my thoughts. Rosto thumped a clenched fist on his armrest, cursing colourfully in Scanran. Worry pervaded us - had something happened to Beka?
"Rosto, has something happened to Beka? Is-"
Another roar cut across me as he started madly ripping the paper. Truly, it terrified me - something must be wrong. I stood up, ready to start off for the kennel, when he finally spoke, growling.
"Something has happened to Beka. Yes, thing indeed. Trickster curse it! How could she… she's made a new friend," he spat.
"Rosto, of course…"
I stopped, realising precisely what he meant… bed friend. So Beka had a new man - I grinned secretly at Rosto's sullen pout. He looked rather like Beka when she pouted, actually. I turned to Aniki, wondering at her reaction to Rosto's outburst - to my surprise, she seemed not put out at all, grinning right back at me and rolling her eyes fondly.
Rosto let fly another stream of curses, muttering under his breath about some Dale Rowan. The name sounded familiar…
"Dale Rowan? I think she met him in the Bread Riot actually…"
"Pox and murrain on that sarden clodhopper, what do I care where they met? He's got gall, cozening up to my-our Beka. And why is she with him anyway? He's probably distracting her from her work! Her head'll be up in the Olorun-"
"Cut it out Rosto" came Kora's voice at my side, amused. "You go through mots like a duck through water, it's not like you've exactly been lonely for that matter. Let Beka have her fun. And you ought to quiet down, I think maybe someone back in Scanra didn't hear you. Now, will you tell us the rest of Beka's news?"
