Chapter 14

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Late morning:

Normally I would wait to write, but somehow, I have nothing to do. I wanted to leave, to get out, to find some fresh air, and try my best to get my mind off of the inevitable thoughts that plagued me, but I couldn't. And not because I was scared, or lazy, or still in a state of shock.

A rather strict letter came from Turks, telling me not to leave my lodgings today. Normally this would bug me, being under house arrest, but under the circumstances, I took it with grace. Ok, and a little pouting, not that I let anyone see my annoyance. After all, my friends had done everything possible to help me, and I could only thank them with a few words and smiles.

It seems like they wanted to understand what had happened, but were holding themselves back from asking. They basically got the gist of what had happened, but curiosity almost brimmed out of them.

Tunstall and Goodwin visited early this morning, but mostly it was just a check up. I had not remembered them leaving last night, but Aniki reported that indeed, they had gone home, but at what time, they did not tell me. Normally I would object to so much fuss made about me, but right now, I kind of enjoyed it. At least for the moment. I did not like being the center of attention, but everyone was understanding, or at least understanding in a way that left me to myself when I needed it the most.

A hearty breakfast was made in my honor, and we even squeezed into my room to eat it. Many of my friends showed up, and that lightened my heart even more, and helped to distract me from the past. So all in all, my morning went along smoothly, or it would have it something had not twisted it all around.

I have still not found out why the Dove has been staying here of all places, without Rosto here to warm her bed. But something tells me, by the guarded look in her eyes, that it is not for the pleasure of our company that she does. She did not look shocked to hear the news, and only a fool would buy her act at fear. I was not a fool, and no one else really thought twice about it, so of course it was overlooked.

She herself was one of the first to really confront me about last night, and her words brought only suspicion, and heated anger to her case. Most people who had showed for breakfast were very close friends, and she had enough sense not to show up, for I think she knows I dislike her almost as much as she does me. A mutual hate, works wonders for our relationship.

I had been cleaning up bits and pieces of the remaining breakfast, having already said my farewells to the others. Aniki was off to the Court of the Rogue, and Kora to buy some herbs, supposedly. I knew they were out scouting, but did not object to their lame excuses. Ersken, having been away last night, took it as his job, to find out what was happening with the Dogs, and I again did not object. With all of the rushed happiness, and friendly faces, I had completely forgotten about the Dove, somehow friends were good with things like that. Making you forget the bad things in life I mean.

Like always though she barged back in, and like always, uninvited. I heard the door close, and looked up, curiously, to see if someone had forgotten something, and wonder of all wonders, it was her. My face fell, and she noticed it. I could tell by the smug expression on her face. She did not ask to be let in, nor to be seated, yet took her place on my bed, watching me clean up plates and crumbs off of the ground.

I stopped for a moment, too self conscious to continue. I tried to be nice, but my smile was forced, and my teeth bared a little too much. "Is there something I can help you with?" She looked at me with her beady eyes, and I had to fight the urge to narrow my own. Ok, so her eyes might not be beady, but they seem like it when she gets that nasty look on her face.

"It must have been awful. Last night I mean." She was the first to outwardly speak on it, but it did not surprise me.

"Yes." Was all I replied, not wanting her to dig in more.

"Almost everyone knows of the threat, but none of them think you can handle talking about it."

"Yeah." Where she was getting with this I did not know, I wanted to ask why she had the though to bring it up, if she obviously took the hint that I did not want to talk about it. But I answered my own question, the answer being right before my eyes.

"I expect you will resign from being a Dog."

My eyes widened, and my mouth popped open to form a small O shape. I had no words for that reply, only utter disbelief. It took me a moment to think of something to say, and in my sudden flare of anger, I forgot to keep my calm, and my normally soft voice was cold.

"I have no intention of ever doing that." I sat up straighter, and let my eyes loose their lock with her own. "I am a Dog, now and forever, do not think some idle threat will keep me from my duty."

She tapped a hand on her lap, and suppressed a bitter smirk. "I did not think such a threat could be thought of as idle." Again I did not reply, but she did not need another incentive to continue. "You might want to consider it though, because from now on, every Dog will have to watch your back." She leaned forward, and let her tone get lower. "Is that what you really want?"

Again my anger built up, but my voice just got cooler. "My partner knows what I can do, and I can handle myself. I hope that every Dog knows that, and if they don't, I will happily prove it again, and again if necessary."

"Not a very smart plan for someone who is picked for the kill." Her words were so blunt, that I shot a shocked gaze up at her, but only innocence glittered in her eyes.

"I can handle myself."

"So she says." Dove replied, but annoyance began to etch into her voice. Standing she brushed off her dress, as if in some way, my room was dirty to her. I though bitterly about saying that trash like her should be used to the filth, but that was a step too high on the arrogance level then I normally traveled, and I kept it to myself. Something about her made me want to be mean though. "I hope you will at least consider leaving."

"No. Never. I will not quit my duty, no matter how many threats I get."

"How about lives that are taken because of it?" She had hit right where it stung, and again my mouth popped open, and my eyes hardened, focusing in the ice cold stare I had heard so many comments about. She smiled, and waved, flicking her blond hair over her shoulder, and marching towards the door. She opened it slowly, and her backed turned towards me, she said in a clear, bitter voice, the words that still echo in my mind now. "You had better pay heed to that threat Terrier, for the next life taken may not be this easy to forget." With that she trounced out the doorway, slamming it a bit loudly as she left.

For the longest time I sat, letting my anger boil down to a small simmer, and closed my eyes with exhaustion. She was right for the most part, I should not have forgotten this death, for it had been related to me, and many more might be sent as messages, but I had chosen to just ignore that for the moment. But not anymore, and her words sparked more suspicion, then anything else.

Was she warning me as a friend of Rosto, to actually help me? I highly doubted that, but it could have been a scenario. No, her words had been lined with hate, and I knew that there was a deeper threat beneath that sarcastic smile.

I will find out what she is up too, but for now I must wait. Wait for closure, wait for freedom, just wait. Bide my time until I could come back, and knock down whoever came near me again. No, I will not leave my post, but I believe the Dove has planted a seed of doubt in my mind, and how it will grow, I have no idea.