Chapter 25-Postlude

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The days have passed by quickly since that time, and now my mind is actually starting to comprehend what has been going on. There has been so little for me to do in my time at home, that I sometimes doubt it has ever happened. In truth it has been three weeks since my journey into the Red Cloaks lair, but for me it seems like just a matter of days. Everyone has been very supportive, but their support is not really needed, as everything seems to have been taken out of my hands.

In the minutes it took to round up the supporters, Ahuda had taken control, my, and Turks' help was not needed in the least. I did not last long in Rosto's arms, for the next thing I knew, I was laying in my own bed, with various aches and pains, wondering if everything had been a dream. Ersken reminded me later that it in fact, was not a dream, and for the longest time I really did believe he was lying to me. I think in the moments it took to finally wrap up this case, I should have felt some sign of relief, some inkling of the feeling I had every time a case was closed. But it never came, not then, but rather much, much later.

Ahuda did not have the heart to chide me and my partner on the whole of our experience, but rather sentenced us very sharply, to a very long vacation at home. I probably should have protested, but the vacation she spoke of, was not only for me, or just for punishment, but rather from keeping Turks from overexerting himself. His injuries were healing very slowly, and the first time I saw him, not two weeks ago, he was looking the worse for wear. I still remember the experience, for it has placed a knew seed of worry in my heart.

I had been relatively fine myself, but Turks had sustained various blows, and in his old age (How I hate to use that phrase for him), his bones were not healing as they should have. I had no doubt Turks would be fine, as he always was stronger then he seemed, and it was surreal to think of him as letting such small blows take him down. Ahuda, and Goodwin thought differently though, their faces gave them away the moment I entered the room. They had given me time to come visit him, after they were sure I was on the mend, and so the first chance I got, I came to the lodgings he had for himself, to find out how he was doing. Before this, no one had talked to me about him, deeming it fit that I find out for myself his condition. I remember thinking how they were overreacting as Turks had not seemed very hurt back then, but I was wrong, very wrong.

They greeted me with weary smiles, and I saw the annoyance, but firm happiness in Goodwin's eyes as she beckoned me foreword. "Me and Tunstall leave you alone for a few seconds, and off you go, chasing after another case, your tail wagging behind you." She chuckled, but I could see the worry in her eyes, that she tried so carefully to hide. I wished I could say something, make some small joke, or lift the heavy atmosphere around me, but that was something I couldn't do, and it would be awkward if I did. I was saved from the silence, by Ahuda's long sigh.

"We matched an identity to the old man you found that night in the alley." My body shivered involuntarily, reminding me of the eerie moon, the chill night air, and the scene which was burned into my every fiber. "It seems he was the Dove's grandfather." Ahuda did not like using that name for her, seeing it as unfit not to call her by her real name, which none of us really knew. Not even Rosto, now that I think about it. "She knew it was him when she came here, but had just not had the courage to come see for herself until now." My eyes opened wider, as I put the words to the face. Just stop, please just stop. I'll give you my house, my money, my belongings. Just don't hurt the girl, not my girl. I felt tears coming to my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away, not wanting to appear weak at this time. I would mourn for him later, when I had time to think over everything. "He was the last relative she had. She had been living with him, until her father put a price on her pretty little head, and then she left him so that he would not be hurt because of her problems. Up until the very in he tried to save her, or at least that is what she said." I saw a gleam of knowledge in her wise eyes as she finished, knowing she understood partially the part I had left out, and filling in the blanks in the case.

Now that I think on it, the Dove and me have come to a mutual respect for each other. Of course there is dislike on both sides, but I do not think her heart can bear to hold a grudge any longer. I helped saved her from her father, and the life she had been leading until now, but she would die before she thanked me for it. The last time I saw her, I remembered something near to bitter resentment in her eyes, but it faded away slowly, growing weary, as her whole body seemed to be now that it was over. I would never like her, but I could not hate her as I once had, not now knowing what I do about what she has been through.

I almost pity her now, knowing she would hate me for my pity alone, but it is hard not to when you see, and experience the whole of her last years when she was all alone.

I said nothing, my mind still churning over this knowledge, when Goodwin continued, her voice stronger, almost angrier as she repeated the news. "We thought we had all of them caught in our trap, but a few were not present, and some knew ways to escape without us noticing. The Rogue himself promised his help in gathering them up, so it should not take long." There was a smugness in her tone, that made me want to smile, but Ahuda flashed her an annoyed glance, and I hid it quickly. Ahuda did not like the fact we were taking criminals help to finish our job, but their was little she could do, and she would not say no to such help, not when it could mean the end of this case. "The tunnels, and the room they used for their meetings is now under our control, so those left will have very few places to hide, we will chase them out of their hiding places, one by one, like the rats they are. Our next issue will only be to sentence those who can buy their way out of trouble with their riches and jewels." My eyes met hers, and we shared a secret moment of happiness, that Ahuda would not see. Rosto would take care of those who thought they could escape the law, for his wrath was somewhat much worse then ours alone. He had promised none would get out of their rightful dues, and I had the highest belief he would see to that promise. The Red Cloaks had no only hurt Dogs, but his business as well. I felt a twinge in my heart, a warm, happy feeling when thinking about him, but shaking it off, I stood straighter, and resumed my silent state, ignoring the feeling with all of my heart, but it became increasingly hard. I closed my eyes, and heard Goodwin chuckle, as if she knew what I was thinking.

"The Dogs will find those we can, and the law will sentence them to their rightful places. Which if I have it my way, will either be the gallows, or an eternity in prison." Ahuda did not seem satisfied with this, but she knew the limits of the Dogs, and possibly guessed the motives of the Rogue. "This trouble will continue for some time, but with monitoring it will stay down to a minimum, they will never again have the ranks they once had. The children have been returned home safely, so if one good thing has been done, it will be that." She rubbed her forehead, and leaned back, her eyes now examining Turks, who was just beginning to wake up. She smiled for him, and he grinned wearily back, a little dazed, but otherwise awake. He looked older then I had ever seen him, his old magic that had entranced me, seemed to have vanished with his health.

"I told you not to go back out into the field, your health has been declining for so long, it is about time it caught up with you." Goodwin's voice was soft, softer then I ever remembered hearing it, but lined with so much affection, and worry, it was obvious that they had been old friends.

"Are you kidding me? I thought this is why Ahuda put me with Beka…well at first I thought it was because she thought I was good enough to match her skills, but then I realized it was just so that maybe some of my youth would jump into me again. I guess it did really, or I would not have done something that got me into this place." He laughed, and I smiled, but my eyes stung, and I felt like I should be crying. It was like watching someone take their last breaths, but I do not know why I had that feeling. He was my first partner, and hopefully my last, but seeing him this ill, it hurt, and made me think of what would happen once he was gone. "If it makes you all feel better, I promise to get better soon. Can't have the streets missing their Terrier now can I?" He smiled at me, and I smiled back, trying to be convincing, but he noticed the worry in my eyes, like the worry in both Ahuda's, and Goodwin's eyes. He gave a mocking scowl, and laughed so loudly, that for a moment he was the old Turks I had known, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced now by the pain in his eyes. "I said I promise, have a little bit more faith in me ok?" We all nodded, each of us wearing a new smile now just for him, but in a moment we were all herded out of his room, by the healer Ahuda had supplied.

Tunstall was leaning against the wall as we exited, a smirk dancing on his face as he watched the three of us trudge out of the door. "You all are a depressed bunch, why not celebrate the fact that we have finished yet another case. Or should I say, Beka here finished another case." He winked, and I felt the worry begin to drain out of my face. "I say we get something it eat, and celebrate what little happiness we have left." He chuckled again, and Goodwin walked foreword to punch him affectionately on the arm. Ahuda however stayed back, her face still pensive as she supported herself against the wall.

"I think I will skip on that offer, I should probably stay here for a while and see if there is anything I can do. They tell me it is not only his injuries that haven't healed, but they think he might be coming down the red flux." I did not yet know what that was, but the way she made it sound scarred me somehow. "But I have doubted him before and he has proved me wrong, Gods helping it will be the same this time too." We left her after a time, the look on her face as she spoke those words, sticking with me as we walked down the street. The sun was shinning, and the cloudless blue sky above was singing out towards the whole of the Lower City, a sign of the days to come, and signaling the end of the dark days behind us.

"The work of the Dog is never ending." Tunstall patted me on the head, messing up my hair, and laughing at the look I gave him. "I think this is only the beginning of an interesting future for all of us." He mused, and Goodwin rolled her eyes, not deeming it fit to reply.

"I just hope your interesting, isn't the same as what I have just been through. Because if it is, I might have to resign." We all laughed, and trudged on down the street, each to our own thoughts, but also basking in the glory of a new day.

And so it was the summer signaled many ends for us all. The end of my partnership with Tunstall and Goodwin, the end of the hostility I had been feeling for Rosto and the Dove, and the end of a case, that rocked us all in both body and mind. I was sure there would be more ends to come, but they were still far ahead yet, masked in a cloak of red, a mystery to be figured out only when the time came. I smiled broadly, noticing I had fell behind, and hurried onward, to the Mantel and Pullet, for what consisted of a hopefully, doubtless future.

THE END.