A/N: So, since this is done and a number of you have reviewed oh so nicely, I decided I'd put this up early for y'all. The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update with chapter three. It only takes a minute to tell me that you like it, so please, take that time. Anyway, enjoy - there'll be another update soon.
A week later, Rosto was once again lying in bed, propped up this time. His sightless eyes stared out the window. He was utterly sick of just sitting there. He had not been allowed out of his room, and was confined to his bed as much as possible. His meals were brought to him, as was anything he might want or need. He hated it.
Aniki was at his bedside, reading a book, from what she had said. If it wasn't her or Kora sitting with him, Ersken or Phelan was there with him. They hadn't left him alone since the attempt on his life. Night and day, whether he was awake or asleep, he was never alone.
He honestly hated that they had to help him do anything, even eat or drink. Rosto had never been helpless, but suddenly, he wasn't even allowed to try. This loss of freedom that had accompanied his loss of sight irritated him more than not being able to see at all.
Even worse was the boredom. He had nothing to do but think and talk. Half the time, whoever was sitting with him wouldn't want to talk. They were too busy reading something important or, in Ersken's case, writing reports. To Rosto, this was more than frustrating. He wasn't asking to be entertained; he just wanted company instead of someone watching him like a hawk. Was that too much to ask?
What really bothered him was the fact that they treating him differently. Rosto hadn't changed at all. The only thing that had was that he couldn't see. He didn't need to be treated like he was completely helpless, he didn't want it, and he didn't like it.
"Aniki?"
"Yes, Rosto?" She didn't sound like she was paying much attention. He made a soft noise of disgust that she couldn't hear.
"Would you hand me that puzzle? I think Kora put it on my desk." A moment later, he felt a jumble of cool metal against his hand. It was a mind puzzle, as they were called, made of silver rods bent into shapes by a smith. They were all the rage throughout the City, but very few people had managed to solve them.
Rosto had been through three in the last two days. Because he wasn't impeded by the illusions that confused most people, it seemed easier. He accepted the puzzle from Aniki and ran his fingertips over the complex shapes in his hands.
About an hour later, the separate pieces that were supposed to be freed sat on the blanket in front of him. He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, a little cross that he had finished it so fast. Then he heard the door open and two distinct sets of footfalls in the room.
"Aniki, you need to get going." It was Kora again. At least she would talk to him. He heard Aniki rise and leave the room without a word, probably to leave for Court. "Rosto, I brought the healer with me. She's going to see if anything can be done for your eyes," she said. Rosto nodded and sighed.
"Close your eyes, please," the healer said. He did so, feeling the coolness of healing magic on the healer's fingers when she touched him seconds later. It was several moments before she pulled back. He heard her talking to Kora in a low voice and waited. He was confused when he heard the sound of the door opening and footsteps receding into the distance.
"Kora, what's going on?" He asked hesitantly. He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"Nothing. She's just gone to get something she thinks might help you. She did say that you might get your sight back in a few years, but she didn't want to get your hopes up by telling you. She can't be sure, because she hasn't seen anything like this before. It might not come back at all, but there is a chance. Also, the poison has completely dissipated from your body," she told him. For just a moment, a half-smile graced his features before disappearing again.
"I can never go back to the Rogue, though, can I?" He asked. He felt Kora put a soft hand on one of his.
"No, most likely not. If you do get your sight back, it isn't likely that it will be as clear as it was before. Aniki will take good care of the Rogue," she told him quietly. "They've moved Court back to the old bank building now, so you can go downstairs if you want to later. Would you like that?" Rosto thought for a moment, then nodded.
"I suppose it would be nice for a change, even if I can't see it," he muttered.
Hoofbeats clopped against the cobblestones as Beka entered the Lower City. Having taken the prince up to the palace already, all she had to do now was return the horse to the Kennel and then she could go home. She was so tired of sleeping on the ground and having sand all over her body.
She dismounted at the stable where the Kennel's horses were kept and handed her horse off to the stable boy. She left a note for Ahuda with the Night Watch sergeant then retrieved her packs and headed off. She made her way back to the Dancing Dove, wondering if the Court of the Rogue was still in session.
When she turned onto Nipcopper Close, she was surprised not to hear the usually raucous sound emanating from the inn. She held her breath as she drew closer to the door, unsure what to expect. The bell clanged softly when she pushed open the door.
The cook looked up from drying a glass with a clean cloth as Beka glanced around the lower level. Her eyes caught on a single person. The long white-blond hair caught back in a horsetail gave the person's identity away instantly. His name escaped her lips in a whisper before she could stop it. The silence was broken a moment later when Rosto's head turned just slightly in her direction.
"Who's there?" He asked. Beka moved forward in his direction.
"It's me. Beka," she said softly just as someone dropped something upstairs.
His back was still turned to her even as she drew closer. This was so unusual for Rosto – usually by now he would have had her in his arms and would have kissed her soundly. When she looked closer, she noticed a folded strip of clean off-white cloth that was almost invisible in the distance against his blond hair and pale skin.
Carefully, she moved closer and around in front of him. That was when she saw the blindfold. A frown creased her forehead. When she was right next to him, she could see that the knuckles off his clinched hands were completely white.
Very slowly, she reached up and tugged the blindfold up. She could hear his breath catch in his throat, like he was scared, as she removed the strip of cloth. As soon as she had removed it, she realized what it meant – she remembered the reason some folk wore blindfolds such as that. Her heart ached when she saw the milky film over Rosto's black gaze. She felt herself let out a tiny gasp. She moved her hand down to his cheek.
"Beka? Oh, Mithros…" Distress crossed his features. Beka forced herself to answer, knowing that he couldn't see her nod.
"Yes, Rosto. It's Beka," she said softly. Rosto raised his hand to touch hers. She could see a muted look of pleasure on his face.
"What happened to you, Rosto?" She asked. The look of pleasure vanished.
"Someone tried to assassinate me. I almost died; my life came at the price of my sight," he replied. With a sigh, he rose to his feet, one hand closing around a cane that had been resting against the table. "I can't see anything, Beka. I'm completely blind."
His jaw clinched after he said that. Beka could see the pain he was trying to hide. She could tell that the loss of his sight was a huge blow for him. With the loss of his vision, he had also lost the Rogue. Worse, his future was uncertain. The Rosto she knew hated to be helpless and not know what was going to happen. But worst of all, he had lost his independence entirely, and Rosto the Piper was a very independent man.
Rosto moved away from her, using the cane to feel in front of him easily. "I can't help but think sometimes that the healer shouldn't have bothered to save me," he muttered darkly. He stopped and turned vaguely in Beka's direction. She had let out a stifled gasp when he said that.
"Rosto, you don't mean that!" She exclaimed.
"You sound just like Kora," he stated, a derisive tone entering his voice. "Think about it, Beka. What would you do if your world was torn into pieces and ripped away from you? How would you feel if you were in my position?" he demanded, gesturing with his free hand.
Beka didn't answer. She couldn't – she had no answer to give him. The silence weighed heavily on Rosto. He continued to stare straight ahead with his sightless gaze, a slight frown causing creases next to his eyes. For just a moment, he seemed to have aged years instead of just months. It made Beka's heart skip a beat. She was sincerely thankful when the expression vanished.
"I'm sorry, Beka," he said softly. "I shouldn't have said that." Without waiting for a response, Rosto turned again, using the cane as she had seen a former Dog who had been blinded do. He was already rather adept at using it, but it was clear that this incident that had stolen his sight had happened recently.
"It's all right, Rosto," she replied. Her voice was soft and tender to him, the kind of voice he had been aching to hear for months. "I understand. You've had your life destroyed; you have every right to be upset by that," she continued. Rosto stopped again and turned back vaguely in her direction once more, though his gaze was fixed several feet to her left.
"No, you don't understand," he said. The sound of his voice did not hide the bitterness he felt in the least. "That's just what Aniki and Phelan have both said, and they don't understand. They aren't blind. They aren't living a half-life that they have no control over. They aren't forced to sit in bed for hours and hours because no one has the time to help them do anything even close to useful! That's all I am anymore, Beka. I'm completely and entirely useless," he hissed. It was clear by the expression that had appeared on his face that he was indeed horribly upset by this.
"You're not useless, Rosto," Beka said patiently. She walked over to where he stood with steady rhythmic steps and stopped in front of him. She put her hand on his cheek and very softly, very carefully drew him toward her, pressing her lips lightly to his. She could feel his hesitation in allowing her in for a moment, but then he relaxed and almost shakily slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her body closer to his.
"You wouldn't say that if you didn't feel bad for me," he said when he suddenly pulled away. "In this state, I'm worthless, and you know it. I can't even take care of myself, nor am I allowed to try," he said. Beka caught his wrist as he turned to go back to his room.
"Rosto, listen to me. You aren't worthless. I want you to stop thinking of yourself like that. Do you understand me?" she asked. Her tone was the one she used when she expected to be obeyed without question, and he knew it.
"Yes. Yes, Beka, I understand," he replied softly. There was moisture in his eyes, just a hint at the edges. "Thank you."
Posted 6/4/09
