Rosto's POV:

I shut the door quietly behind me, mind reeling. Who would want to assassinate the Lord Provost? He's fair and just; even us rushers respect him to a point. There's no real reason to want him dead. He'd just be replaced with someone else, someone who might not be as fair to us rushers.

Stupid dogs, going on and teaching Beka to value other people too much. I would've saved my Lord in a way where I would be safe, maybe by grabbing the back of his shirt and dragging him backward. Not by running in front. I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. She drives me crazy, but if I want to be completely honest, I'm kind of proud of her. I will find this assassin, and make them pay. No one hurts my Beka.

I stepped down the stairs onto the main floor, looking around. This would soon be the future Court of the Rogue. I just had so smooth a few more things out and announce it. I smirked as I imagined the chiefs' responses when I tell them my plans. The look that Dawull will get on his face in finding out he was expected to rule in a lodging house; priceless.

I ran out in the streets, running a light jog to the current Rogue's Court. When I entered, people burst into talk, all of them clamouring to get my attention. I grinned, throwing my shoulders back and putting my chin in the air. I got this position to help the Lower City, and that's what I have every intention of doing. It's nice to stop and smell the roses every once and a while, though.

I climbed the stairs and took my place at the head of the table where the chiefs' sat. Silence fell as I remained standing, surveying who was at the court. I saw, to not much surprise, Tunstall and Goodwin standing near the back. No doubt they were here to negotiate over the happy bag.

Aniki and Kora stood near the back. They both nodded to me, and I nodded back. Finally, I spoke. "People of this Court. If you haven't already heard, there was an assassination attempt on our Lord Gershom."

I stopped, watching for people's reactions carefully. A collective gasp was heard throughout the room, with most rushers looking on in fear and disbelief. Someone I could hear say, "So what? I say good riddance." I found the speaker to be Renon, and new rusher to the court. His friends sniggered.

"Do you have something you'd like to share, Renon?" I snarled, again drawing the attention of the room. He froze, paling considerably. It was fools like these that got Beka hurt. "So you think this is a good thing? Do you have any sense at all?"

People muttered to each other, glaring at him. Some balled their hands into fists in anger. "So, you think having the Lord Provost suspect this Court is responsible for trying to overthrow him is a good thing? Maybe you think having every person in the Lower City put at risk of going to the cages and being tortured for information is a good thing? I have a feeling you're going to need some ice tomorrow morning for all those bruises you're going to get."

"I—I meant no disrespect, my King…." He was shaking slightly at the feeling of all those eyes on him, his cocky demeanor gone.

"Oh? Only disrespect to your fellow rushers, of course…." I smirked slightly, knowing this episode would make people think twice about attacking the Lord Provost or even any Dogs for a while.

I sat, letting events unfold in my court. Instead I turned to my chiefs, demanding, "Do any of you have any information regarding this?"

They all stayed silent, staring at the table. I slammed my fist on the table in frustration. Finally Ulsa spoke up. "I heard a whisper that the assassin wasn't for the Lord Provost."

I met her eyes, letting her know she had my attention. She gulped, before continuing, "It was meant for some Puppy."

I felt myself go cold all over. No…it couldn't….

At seeing my expression, she hurriedly added, "Meaning no disrespect."

I sighed, saying, "Thank you, Ulsa. Even that tidbit helps." She sighed with relief, turning to talk to the chief beside her after seeing I was done talking. I turned back towards my Court, summoning the first person in line to come and see me. This was going to be a long night….

Don't people have anything better to do then come sniveling to me? Four people. Four people came to tell me their birthday was tomorrow and they couldn't decide to celebrate or not. I'm their to protect the victims of people like the Shadow Snake, not give advice on birthdays. As I walked back to my lodgings, I turned down a detour, intending to get some bread for tomorrow morning's breakfast. As I turned, I almost tripped over something large and black that yowled when I did. Looking down, I saw Pounce looking up at me in urgency.

I crouched so I was nearer to eye level, and whispered, "Now, why aren't you with Beka? You can't just leave her alo—"

I was interrupted by a set of meows from Pounce. You need to come back now. She's in danger.

It took me a moment to process that a cat just talked to me, until the message came through. She's in danger. My mind flashed. It was meant for some Puppy. I stood, turned on heel, and ran as fast as I could towards the lodging house. I heard somewhere that the Lord Gershom took her family in when she was eight, were they intending to shoot him to hurt her? Get her weak, and not thinking clearly, so they could do something else?

Or, even better, get her injured. No one would concentrate on protecting Beka when the assassin was seemingly for the Lord Provost. I felt my stomach drop through my feet, so I ran faster.

I reached the house in record time, skidding before a stop in front of it. My breath caught when I saw the lock smashed off the front door. I ran in, keeping my feet light and quick so I wouldn't be heard. When I reached her doorway, I looked in and felt my heart constrict.

She was gone.

Author's Note:

Yay! I'm just a writing machine, I guess. I'm sorry for the cliffie, it just seemed right to end it there. It's also kind of different doing Rosto's POV, but I had to for the plot. I hope I kept it in character.

Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it!

Padfoot