A/N: Okay, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!!
Chapter Eleven: Revelation
With a sharp thud, two knives came down on the last sausage remaining on the plate.
"Ha!" exulted Aniki. "Give it up, Westover, my knife got there first."
"It did not," protested Ersken. It was not in his nature to argue, but he was still hungry and wanted that last sausage. "I got it first this time."
This was their own little game they played almost every morning, seeing who gets the last sausage at breakfast. Ersken was tired of Aniki winning.
"Look," said Aniki, motioning to her dagger. "My blade is clearly embedded more deeply than yours. It hit first."
"That doesn't mean it hit first," said Ersken, "that just means you used more force."
Aniki shrugged. "Be that as it may, I still won." She turned to Kora. "Kora, who won?"
Kora shook her head, not paying attention as she fed Fuzzball. "I don't know," she said. "Mayhap you should ask the poor sausage."
Seeing as she was of no help, Ersken turned to Beka. "Beka, who do you think won?"
Beka sat apart from the others, pushing her food around on her still-full plate. She shrugged, her mind seemingly elsewhere. Then she held out her plate. "Here, just take mine, I'm not going to eat it anyway," she said tonelessly. When neither one of them moved to take her plate, she set it down next to them before she stood up to leave.
Kora, seeing that the food on her plate was not even half eaten, said with concern, "Beka, you hardly touched your food-"
"I'm not hungry," was her only reply as she walked to the door. Grabbing her coat, she told them, "I'm going for a walk."
After she left, Kora, Aniki, and Ersken all looked at each other. Ersken was the first to break the silence. "I don't know what happened between the two of them, but I hope they work it out soon. I hate it when friends don't speak to each other."
They all knew who he was talking about. It had been almost a week since Rosto had stopped showing up at their daily breakfasts and though Beka still showed up, she hardly ever said a word. Ersken and Kora had both tried on separate occasions to talk with Beka but to no avail. Aniki had tried to coax it out of Rosto as well but with no such luck. Their behavior baffled their friends. Usually when Rosto was in a mood, the whole city down to the waterfront knew about it. But this time, instead of being in a sore mood, he was…quiet. He conducted all his business as usual but those closest to him could tell something was wrong. He seemed almost dejected and it worried Aniki and Kora especially, never having seen him thus before.
"Well whatever it was, it was big," said Aniki. "I just wish they'd both get off their bums and do something about it besides mope around. It takes the fun out of everything. It's obvious they want each other; they should just get to it already. I'm tempted to lock them in a room together if this keeps up any longer."
"Aniki," said Kora, a warning tone in her voice. "We've already tried once and it didn't work. They need to get together by themselves now."
Snorting, Aniki replied, "That'll be the day."
It was Thursday night, the night to collect the Happy Bags. Tunstall chattered the whole way to the Dancing Dove. Beka knew naught of what he said, her mind on the place they were headed- or, more precisely, who they would be seeing. She could count on one hand how many times she had seen Corus' Rogue within the last week, and most of those times had been only at a distance, this being the first Happy Bag collection since their heated discussion that had ended so shockingly.
Rosto loved her.
He had said it more than one time, though she could still hardly get her head around it. Why would Rosto love someone like her? She was said to be pretty, but there were many mots more beautiful than she that could entice a man's fancy. And as Granny Fern so often pointed out, she was more stubborn than a mule stuck in a mud puddle. How-why - would Rosto love her? Her head hurt from trying to figure it out.
And after the things she had said to him, accused him of, that morning…she regretted each and every one of them. She had been frustrated, it had been built up within and it had finally poured out that morning, and she had said things she hadn't meant and didn't believe.
The memory of his dull eyes and resigned face when he had walked out that door still haunted her. How could she be so cruel? She knew Rosto was a good- no, great- Rogue and he would never do anything to hurt Flory or the people. How could she be so heartless?
The answer came almost immediately. She was scared. Scared of Rosto's love and the only way she knew how to combat those feelings was to fight them off and not give in- and she had hurt Rosto in the process.
The myriad of emotions that swam inside her only caused her more confusion. For the past week, she had looked forward to starting her Watch every day if only to distract her from her thoughts. Her day off had been torture. She had been tempted to volunteer down at the kennel that day but knew Goodwin or someone else would likely order her out to enjoy her day- after having her checked by the healers for signs of madness, of course.
Instead, she had visited Provost's House. Will, Nilo, Mya, and Lorine- who had escaped from a few minutes of her sewing tasks- had all been happy to see her, but almost instantly Mya and Lorine had noticed a difference in her. Beka had been surprised to hear them say so, for she had thought she had been acting herself. But apparently her sister and Mya didn't believe her when she said as much. What had they seen?
After the usual greetings were over, Lorine had pulled Beka aside, saying there was something she needed to tell her. Mya returned to kneading some bread- honestly, the woman had bigger arm muscles than the strongest female Dogs in Corus- and the two boys returned to the stables. Puzzled as to what her sister needed to tell her that caused Lorine to pull Beka outside and into a quiet corner of the yard, Beka had waited. Then, when she had seen the soft smile and faint blush suffuse her cheeks, Beka had instantly become wary. The words that had soon flowed from Lorine's mouth were hurried in an excited whisper. Her words were so quick in fact, that Beka had had a difficult time figuring out what she was talking about, but it didn't take her long to guess. Apparently there was an older stable boy that had caught her eye and apparently she had caught his, and…
For some reason, Beka hadn't wanted to hear it. She had hugged her sister and told her she was happy for her- and she was- but for some reason the sight of her sister all bright-eyed and in love had caused a pang of sadness to sweep over Beka for reasons she didn't quite understand.
Later, when she had been leaving, Beka had caught sight of Lorine on the arm of a smiling young man who, as they walked, had leaned down and whispered something in her sister's ear that had made Lorine smile and laugh. Again, that pang of sadness had hit Beka and, before they could catch sight of her, Beka had left quickly.
"These accommodations really are quite nice compared to those of Kayfer's old place," remarked Tunstall from nearby.
So lost in her thoughts was she that Beka hadn't even noticed that they had arrived at the Dancing Dove already. As usual, she and Tunstall weren't stopped by the guards outside, their faces being well-known to the men. She and Tunstall also knew them- Rosto only hired guards who he knew he could trust, thus making his guard staff small but very effective. Beka and Tunstall knew most all his guards by face and name.
The Dove was busy that night. People filled the main room. Beka looked around the crowded room, always curious as to how those on the other side of the law lived. Doxies and spintries alike wove through the people, stopping to cast suggestive smiles and even more suggestive words to those they passed. Games of chance were set up along the walls of the room. From dice games to card games, people crowded around with their cups of ale in one hand and coins in the other. Beka even noticed a game of Gambler's Chance being played at one place.
At one of the dice games, many voices were raised in complaint as one man sat back on his haunches, a smug smile of victory plain on his face. It looked like Josef had one again, Beka thought with a shake of her head. He was a well-known dice gambler that won a lot- and was just as well-known for cheating. Apparently he had rounded up a few newcomers into a game by the looks of it, and they were all quickly realizing that Josef did not take kindly to being accused of cheating. One particular cove even swiftly apologized and left when large Josef stood up and started to flex his impressive muscles. The rest of them quickly quieted down. The last cove that had called Josef a cheater and hadn't backed down was probably now making friends with the fish on the bottom of the Olorun…
Beka saw Aniki talking with a group of coves and mots while peeling an apple with one of her many blades. Kora was also nearby, talking to an herb seller and comparing techniques.
The only break in the room was the clear path leading up to the dais. There, Rosto sat, listening to those that wanted an audience with Corus' Rogue.
While Tunstall spoke with some rushers he knew nearby, Beka leaned back against the nearest wall and watched. It was customary for the Rogue to make the Dogs wait, and Rosto was no different. Though he had not acknowledged their presence yet, Beka was certain he knew they were there. He always did.
That night, she couldn't seem take her eyes off him. She watched as he talked with the many people of Corus, coming to him with thanks and pleas alike. He listened attentively, never seeming to grow tired despite hearing request upon request. Beka saw him shift a couple of times in his seat, no doubt uncomfortable from sitting for so long, but he showed no signs of trying to hurry things along.
When a middle-aged mot asked him a question, Rosto sat back and rubbed his chin in thought. Beka could almost see the wheels turning in that sharp mind of his. When he gave her an answer, the woman began to thank him over and over, her face shining with gratitude.
Beka looked at Rosto to see him nod in reply to her thanks. He looked pleased to have helped her.
Tunstall appeared at her side the next moment, informing her that it would soon be their turn. Beka nodded her understanding then looked again to the dais.
Two young children, orphaned mumpers by the look of their tattered clothes and dirty faces, approached Rosto. The older one, a gixie of mayhap nine, started to speak, begging for protection. The girl's Lower City cant was very thick but Beka had no difficulties in making out her words. Apparently their older sister had been caught by the slavers, leaving them to fend for themselves. According to her, they had outrun a child stealer three nights in a row now, but feared he would come for her and her little brother again.
The gixie shook with nerves, not being able to meet Rosto's gaze. Her little brother clung to her leg, his thumb stuck in his mouth. The poor thing probably hadn't eaten in over a day, Beka guessed.
One of Rosto's guards was about to move them along when the little gixie said she had nothing to give the Rogue, but Rosto held up his hand to stop him. Then, getting out of his chair, he knelt down, bringing his face even with the gixie's.
Beka watched, unable to look away as Rosto laid his hand on the girl's shoulder in a gesture of comfort. He spoke to her so softly that Beka was unable to hear what he said. Judging from what happened next, though, it didn't take much to figure it out. The young gixie pitched forward, throwing her arms around Rosto's neck with unabashed happiness.
Caught by surprise, it took a moment for Rosto to wave off his advancing guards. It was then that the gixie realized what she was doing and quickly pulled back, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she stumbled out an apology.
After gravely telling her that she was forgiven, the young girl and boy hurried out of the Dancing Dove, elated with what the Rogue had told them.
Rosto's mouth quirked up in a smile as he watched the two children leave.
Beka was still watching him when suddenly, she realized with a start, two dark eyes met hers across the room. Rosto's smile was gone, his face expressionless as he looked at her.
But still, there was something in his eyes as he looked at her that robbed her of breath…
And at that moment, she knew.
As Rosto turned to talk to one of his guards, Tunstall remarked with a chuckle, "Look at that. All the mots love him. Even the young 'uns."
"Mayhap I should thank the Rogue, too," said a mot from nearby with a saucy smile. Looking at her immodest dress, Tunstall guessed her for a loose woman. He looked to Beka to see what she made of the mot's comment.
But she wasn't paying attention. Instead she was looking- no, staring- at Rosto with the oddest look on her face.
Love.
Tunstall approached the dais when the guards waved him forward. He was about to repeat his joke about all the mots loving Rosto but stopped when he saw Rosto's face. Rosto was looking passed Tunstall, his eyebrows slightly drawn together and his mouth pulled tight. Tunstall turned to see what had caught the Rogue's attention and realized Beka was not beside him. In fact, she was headed the opposite way…
Escaping into the cool night air, Beka leaned back heavily against the outside wall of the Dove. Pulling air into her lungs to match her quickness of breath, Beka closed her eyes.
In a way, she shouldn't feel so surprised. It was like she had always known it, yet wouldn't admit it. Rosto was right. She was too curst stubborn for her own good.
Now Rosto wouldn't even speak to her. She was used to his foul mood but she was not used to his avoidance. She could deal with Rosto in a temper. She could not deal with his silence. In a way, their relationship up to now seemed to thrive on banter and arguing, but Beka knew not what to make of his evasiveness.
She wished she had the old Rosto back. Then she'd know how to deal with her new-found revelation.
But now what was she to do with Rosto avoiding her like the nobles avoid the Cesspool?
It was at that exact moment that Kora and Aniki walked out of the Dove, looking for her.
Her thoughts suddenly became much more optimistic.
Because, as much as she tried to deny it, she wanted Rosto as much as he wanted her. And she didn't know how or when, but somewhere down the line, she had fallen in love with a Rogue…
And now she was finally going to do something about it.
A/N: Much better ending than the last, yes? OOO can't you just wait to see what they do to get Rosto's attention and get him back to his 'old self'? *wink wink*
BEKA LOVES ROSTO! :D
I'll update soon! The next chapter will be the last. I hope you enjoyed it!!