June 29, 247

It's been a week since I've written. That's mainly acos, not much happened worth writing down, while I was in Port Caynn. I mean. Well, a lot happened. But, I wasn't going to write it all down. It was pretty repetitive.

I will admit to canoodling with Rosto. That was fun. Very fun. And from here on out, I will no longer call him a spintry in public. Simply because he's better than any spintry I've ever heard of. (Far more stamina) There. That's all I'll write. I really can't say more. What happens between me and Rosto, doesn't get writ into a journal that might be read by someone nosy (like Ersken).

Every morning we'd wake up, go for a stroll, get breakfast, play in the water, chat, nap, get lunch, chat with Maira of Shang. Practice our fighting skills. Every so often, we'd dig up Lockhorn. Then at nights we'd sleep….and do more than just sleep. One morning, Rosto woke earlier than me, and brought me a breakfast of all my favorites. I think he wasn't expecting me to kiss him so fiercely. He's getting used to that. Me kissing him.

Pounce threatened to find Rosto a kitten with absolutely no manners if we didn't stop carrying on and start behaving properly. Rosto laughed and told him he wouldn't mind if Pounce brought a hundred kittens, as long as they were all black-furred 'noisy little pippins', like Pounce. Which made my cat scowl. For a moment I had this inkling that Pounce just might do it.

We had told the innkeeper we'd be leaving Port Caynn, this morning. He was right sorry to see us go. He'd liked the excitement of having Dogs and Rats and Knights and Shang warriors and my Lord in his inn. But he was happy that we'd finally gotten a taste of how beautiful Port Caynn really is.

With all the sun and swimming and fun, Rosto and I are both tan. Me more than him. Rosto found some cream that would keep him from burning, though it didn't stop him from turning his usually alabaster white skin to the color of old ivory: just a pale buttery cream. Not too golden. Still white. But not pale white. Me. I turned about as brown as a bazhir. Rosto likes the color. So do I for that matter. I just wonder how long it will last.

According to our combined sources, a caravan would be leaving from Port Caynn, for Corus today, with the Grain from one of the Carthaki vessels that arrived in port, after we caught Lord Ralon. It'll still be a lean winter, but not nearly as bad as it might've been. We decided to travel along with the Caravan. They could use two extra guards (not that any thief would try and jump a caravan that the King of the Rogue was protecting). So, I packed my horse, tied him to the string and Rosto and I walked with the Caravan to Corus. It's not a long time walking. Not really. We met a man who could change the color of his hair, at will. It was interesting watching it go from Rosto blonde to deep raven black, to bright pink all in a manner of seconds. One man was a singer and he and Rosto did a duet when we broke for lunch. I joined in once (only I didn't sing with my gift, just sang).

The walk through Corus was interesting. We had to give back the horse, being as it wasn't really mine, but belonged to the Kennel. Rosto grabbed one of my bags and I grabbed the other. We pretty much got glares wherever we went. People wondered why the Rogue was helping a Dog carry her gear home. Though some just stared, because Rosto had tanned. It wasn't that noticeable to me, but I guess it was a shock to see us both so much darker.

I was anxious to approach the boarding house because I wanted to see the name. The front entrance had a nice new door, painted a good solid brown and the rest of the house had been freshly painted. There were new windows, clean, almost see-through glass, with good wood shutters. And hanging on a horizontal pole, was a decent-sized wooden plank, held to the pole by a metal chain. I nearly ran to go see it. Rosto had a smug grin on his face when he saw my curious look. He lengthens his stride and we stop in front of the door.

On the plank is the picture of a bird with its wings outstretched and tail fanning out behind him, like it was a peacock. Because the bird is white, and common looking. It's standing on a row of black music notes. On the sign it says in nice block letters "THE DANCING DOVE." And under the picture, it says reads "INN & TAVERN"

I say the name of the inn, listening to it roll off the tongue. Rosto nudges me to get my opinion. "I like it. It's perfect for the Lower City." Pounce meows his appreciation. Which brings a great big grin to Rosto's face.

"It was your Dove as gave me the idea." He's looking at the whole inn. Not just the picture. His eyes go distant and I can tell he's thinking. "You know what it needs?" He looks up and down the street. "A stable. We could've brought that horse here, and you could've returned it when you went on watch. A stable would make this a right respectable establishment."

I snort when he says 'respectable' and he gives me a knowing look. Nothing owned by the Rogue will ever truly be respectable. "No more hammers!" I joke with him and that makes him and Pounce laugh. "Or I'll never get any sleep."

With a glance up and down the street, Rosto puts his arm around my shoulder. "I think I can fix that." He's got a wicked look in his eyes. I know what he's thinking.

"Do you want to know what I think?" I tell him seductively moving closer to him. He's expecting a kiss. I can see it in his eyes. But we'll not kiss in the street. It ain't decent. Not like we cared that much about decent while we was in Port Caynn, but we're in Corus now. "Flowers." I tell him, pulling back from him and his face goes all confused. He looks sweet when he's confused. "Forget the stable for a few weeks. No one wants to work in this heat. But flowers will be nice. Right here in front."

"Any specific flowers?" He asks, laughing out loud when he finally catches on.

"Lilies grow anywhere. Especially in patchy soil." I suggest after a moment of thought.

"Very well. Flowers it is. But I still want to find that carpenter. He should still be around, I want to discuss plans about how to best utilize the space of the back courtyard," he's about to walk off around back when I grab him by his horse-tail.

"Who taught you manners? An Ice Bear?" I tug him towards the door. "You say 'hello' to your darling friends first, and then go find the carpenter." He grumbles and follows me in. Inside, the room is shady and cool. It looks very fine. With a good solid bar in the corner, which leads to the kitchen. There's tables and chairs all around the room, and it's got a lot of space. There's a hall that leads to rooms as can be rented and our rooms are up the stairs. Rosto points to the corner by the fireplace. There is a slightly raised platform. It ain't even a step high really. But on the platform is a nice comfy leather armchair, a small round table, and on the other side, two more, nice looking chairs. Though the other chairs aren't nearly as comfortable looking.

"The Rogue's Throne?" I murmur quietly. He gives me a regal nod. Pounce doesn't hesitate. He runs right over and jumps into Rosto 'throne' and stretches out comfortably. He gives a loud appreciative meow and falls straight into a nap. Rosto gives a grumble, but he ain't likely to argue with a Constellation. We turn our gaze to a table that has two occupants.

Seated at one of the larger tables, with a large pile of papers in front of them, is Phelan and Kora. Rosto gives a slight cough and Kora murmurs something. Phelan though looks up. A great grin crosses his features and jumps gratefully away from the daunting pile of papers in front of him. "You're Back!" he says, enveloping first me, then Rosto in a tight hug. He looks at Rosto. In which time, Kora takes the moment to get away, and gives me and Rosto a hug greeting.

"Rosto the Piper, I do believe you've tanned." She says looking him over. Rosto looks appreciatively at his own skin. In a 'don't you like it?' sort of way. Kora pulls him into another hug. "You took a long time coming back."

"I've only been gone two weeks!" Rosto says in jest. "Surely that isn't a long time?" He puts my bag down on the floor, which brings to attention the fact that Rosto's been carrying my bag. Kora noticed it for sure. But she's subtle about it. Phelan isn't. He's giving Rosto a confused look. Rosto ignores it.

"Well, Beka's been gone for three, and it feels like ages." Says Kora happily. She sees someone over my shoulder and nudges me in the direction of the stairs. Standing there is Aniki, her hands on her hips. I'm given another nudge, this time by Rosto, I think. I put my belongings down and walk over to her. Aniki's got a fierce look in her eyes.

"You do realize, I ought to gut you like a fish." She says it so lethally, but I don't twitch. I face her. Right shamed for my behavior.

"I'd understand fully why you would. But don't do it just yet. Give me a chance to talk." I ask her quietly, trying to talk to her with my eyes. She's giving me a glare.

"Don't you gut her on my new floor." Calls Rosto from his end of the room. Aniki gives him a fierce, Goodwin-like glare and it frightens me. I can hear Rosto cringe. Then she glares at me.

"Aniki. How do I begin to tell you how sorry I am?" I ask her.

"Start talking." She doesn't let me go, but her eyes don't look so fierce.

So I start. "I'm sorry. I'm right sorry I yelled at you. You didn't deserve to be yelled at like that. Not by me, not by anyone. Not when you'd come to Port Caynn as a friend. I'm sorry I didn't believe you about Lando. If it makes you feel any better, I called him out on the piracy thing myself, and he was branded in Maren and Sarain."

"It helps a little" she says quietly. Sounding maybe a hair less lethal. She won't gut me. But I ain't off the hook just yet.

"I am sorry I called you a Rat. You was a rusher for a long time. I played Rusher for three days. I felt horrid walking in your shoes, and only afterwards realized how much stronger and better you are than me. You had to be tough as a rusher, when we knew you as a Sweet, kitten-loving, joke-telling mot. That's hard. I couldn't do it. Not like you did. And I'm sorry.

"You're an amazing swordswoman, Aniki, and a good Queen to your people. I mention your name in Port Caynn, and folk whisper in awe. Because you demand that much respect. And I didn't respect you. And again, I'm sorry.

"It ain't until recently that I truly realized how right you were. Being a Dog and being a Rusher, ain't that different. I learned that first hand. And Mithros only knows how much more I respect you for it. I know you work a hard, sometimes thankless, and oftentimes dangerous job, and handle it with strength and grace. You were right. About a lot of things. You could see when I was blind. And you tried to help me see and I spit in your face. I'm sorry."

At this point, I don't know what else to say. At first, I'd tried memorizing some apology, but things don't work that way. The second I stood in front of her, I knew I had to tell her the truth. All of it. (Spending a week with Lockhorn will do that to you). Aniki softens. But I don't feel she's quite forgiven me yet.

"Aniki, I know what I said was bad. Bad as a Dog, and bad as a friend. I regretted it the moment you left. I wish I could take those words back." I think at that moment I started to cry. Mainly acos I remembered just how bad I felt that week. Depressed. Just pure misery. "Aniki, I've begged the Black God, to forgive me. Now I'm hoping you'll do the same."

"Ersken showed me your letters." She says, her voice hitching some. I look up and see her eyes are glimmering. "I know you was having a hard time. Chasing your tail out there. Then being bellered at by Goodwin, Pounce, chastised by your Dogs and turned on by the people you wanted to trust. I can't imagine how lonely you felt. And I can't imagine how desperate you must've been for poison."

"Poison?" Barks Rosto from behind me. He's concerned but Aniki shakes her hand at him.

"Point is. I know why you did. And I know that you've apologized significantly. That don't change the fact that it happened." She swallows heavily, and intakes a breath carefully. "But I can't just forgive you. You've committed a great wrong against me Beka."

"I know. Which is why I'm hoping you'll just beat me soundly and not gut me like a trout." I murmur, and clasp my hand to my traitor mouth. That makes Aniki grin wryly.

"Beka. I will forgive you," she pulls me into a bone-breakingly tight hug. In my ear she whispers, "but you owe me. From here on, you keep no secrets from me. And you trust my word as the Gods-own truth." I nod fervently, glad she ain't going to beat me, though slightly worried that I owe Aniki a debt. Now I owe debts to the King and the Queen of the Rogue. Oh joyful.

"Thank you, Aniki." I break down in sobs again and I think Aniki does too. We're standing their crying like we're cracked. Phelan whistles uncomfortably, Rosto's tapping his boot and Kora is sniffling in the corner. I think she's right set to cry. I give Aniki my handkerchief. She wipes her eyes.

"Oh, we're a right mess." She grumbles, handing back the handkerchief. Her eyes fall on Rosto. With a glance and a wink, I know she will want to know just about EVERYTHING that happened with him and me while we was together for a week. I nod. She looks at Rosto again, and then that angry look comes back to her eyes. I feel bad for him. "YOU!" she seethes, whacking Rosto upside the head. "You was gone for TWO WEEKS!" She's caught him by the ear and is pulling him down like she was his own ma. "You didn't send word. No letter, no note to say you was okay, nothing. Just POOF! Vanished for two weeks. We only knew you was alive because of what Ersken told us."

"Well, I would've sent on first day, but I got arrested." Rosto's whining, he wants Aniki to let go of his ear. Fat chance. "Beka got me out, but honestly, what was I going to do, send reports?"

"YES!" she's close to screeching at him. But Aniki's screech doesn't grate on the ears like The Swan's did. "We should've heard from you. Your QUEEN and loyal subjects would've liked to know you was ALIVE!"

"Aniki let go of my ear, it can't be red for Court tonight." He says, finally pulling free. Kora takes the moment to step between Aniki and Rosto to talk to me.

"Will you be singing for us tonight, Beka?" She's hoping it'll divert tensions. Aniki must have been practicing with that sword a lot these past two weeks. I feel sorry for whoever challenged her. I really do. I shrug a response and go over to get my bags again. I'm ready to head up the stairs. I stopped as Ersken comes through the door.

"Welcome back you two!" He says, pulling me into a hug first. "Beka, you're darker than a bazhir!" He moves to Rosto and claps him on the back. Oh, he's been spending far too much time with Tunstall. Goodwin will fix him right up. "Rosto! You've tanned!"

"I was at the beach. Picking up some color is normal." Rosto's rubbing his ear, which honestly, will only make it more red.

"I would've sworn you and Beka would've stayed inside." He's being cheeky and had he known what Rosto and I had just endured at the hands of Aniki he wouldn't be testing his patience so. I glare at Ersken and he brushes it off.

"Well, we didn't" Says Rosto regally, feeling a bit miffed. I stifle a giggle and give Ersken a look that says, 'not a word more.' Though I've a feeling the cheeky thing went and told everyone what the sleeping arrangements were like in Port Caynn. Oh, giving him over to Goodwin will be delicious fun.

"What are all those?" I point to the pile of paper work which makes Kora, Aniki, and Phelan groan. It takes the attention off of Rosto and me.

"Work applications. People hear the Rogue pays well. Those are folks inquiries about jobs for maids, servers, kitchen staff, cooks, bakers, barkeeps, and a host of other jobs. Two are even from doxies willing to keep the Rogue's bed warm. If he wants." She gives Rosto a wink..

"Those you can throw out." He arches a soft brown eyebrow at her and sniffs. "Though I know that if anyone wants a job in my kitchen, they should know how to make Apple Fritters, and Yamani Rolls. And anything with peaches." He sounds so serious, Phelan grabs a pen and jots the information down under the tab: KITCHEN/COOK.

Rosto sits down to discuss people who will work here at the Dancing Dove, I take my leave and head up the stairs to unpack. Aniki helps me bring up the other pack and we talk. She wants to know what happened in Port Caynn and why Rosto stayed so long. I tell her. She doesn't sound exactly happy that Rosto and I are in some sort of relationship, but she understands.

"I take it I'm to keep my mouth shut about this?" She asks as she pulls daggers out of my bag. She goes through them and pulls out two that belong to Rosto. He's put his daggers in my basket so often I forget if they're his or mine.

"Well," I start, putting clothes back in my clothes press. "See. Folk shouldn't know. Rosto and I are working on the Dog/Rogue bit. As far as Aniki knowing. I guess neither of us mind that much. But as for the Queen of the Rogue?" I let the end dangle.

Comprehension dawns and she nods. "So be it." She places my baton on my desk next to my daggers and takes out the writing kit. "Beka. There's got to be some way, we can avoid, you know," She makes a wiggle with her fingers and points to my bed.

"You walking in on me and Rosto?" I ask, pretty sure that's what she wanted to say. She smiles bashfully. "Well, you and Kora haven't really done much to save me and Rosto any embarrassment. He's walked in on you and Phelan twice." She blanches a bit when I say it.

"ONCE!" She squeals, throwing a sock at me.

"Twice. He didn't tell you about the second time." I pick up the sock and try to find its partner. I look at Aniki and see her shocked face. "You were, um, preoccupied, that you didn't see him." She looks red for a minute. She's organizing my desk. It's actually just the way I would do it. Blank papers, papers with writing, my journal goes on top. There's a look of wanting to open it on her face, but she leaves it be.

"Maybe something we can leave on the door to mean, 'Don't Enter: Occupants Canoodling Inside'" She's looking through some of the songs Rosto's written up for me. I find the shirt Rosto gave me. I get an idea and decide to wash up some and put the shirt on.

"Well, a sign with that on it is out of the question" I murmur as I pull my hair out of a bun and run a comb through it. "But what about a piece of string or a feather on the door handle."

"Feather's too obvious. The string will do just fine. I'll let Kora know." She's finished with my desk. She spots my shirt and gives a whistle. "Nice shirt."

I don't say anything. "Thanks for helping." I nod toward the desk. She gives me a flippant wave. This proves more than anything that she's forgiven me. At least, Aniki has. Though the Queen of the Rogue and I have a tiff. She turns her ear towards the door.

"I think your Dogs just arrived." She gets up and leaves. I straighten up a bit more around my room and grab the things that belong to Rosto. I stop by and leave them on his bed. Touching Rosto's bed gives me a private thrill. It looks so strange and foreign for a moment. Since he's not there, I sit down on it. It's not overly soft. I lay down and pull the pillow to me. There under the pillow is a dagger. I do know him too well. What surprises me is that there's also a fur rolled up behind the pillow.

"It's giant otter." Says Rosto from the door. I pull my hand away from the immensely warm, soft fur. "It's some of the softest, densest fur out there. Very good for cold winter nights." He's got a sideways grin on.

"I was just bringing in your things." I say, pointing to the small pile of his belongings.

"I can see. That's why you're lying on my bed." He nods knowingly and comes to sit down next to me. He checks the dagger and replaces the pillow. I turn slightly red. "Which bed do you feel like sharing more?" The bed suddenly feels much softer and I'm feeling just that much warmer.

"Doesn't matter. Either way, we tie some string on the handle." I tell him quickly what transpired between me and Aniki upstairs. He laughs and thinks it's a good idea. He searches through his things and pulls out his flute, which for once, wasn't in his boot, because it would've gotten dusty during the walk to Port Caynn.

"You're wearing the shirt." He says, eyeing me appreciatively. "Come downstairs. Some folk have arrived, with food no less, and we're to have a party." He places a quick kiss on my mouth and helps me out of his bed. He walks downstairs first, then I follow about a minute behind him.

My Dogs are indeed there. Tunstall has taken a corner booth and is sitting with his arm around Lady Sabine, which makes my eyes just about pop out of my head. At a table not far from them are Goodwin and her man, in street clothes, chatting with Bold Brian. Maira of Shang has walked in with a few friends, one looks like he could be her brother and I've no doubt at least two of them are Shang. It's odd having so many of them in one city, much less in one pub. Kora and Phelan are across from Phelan and Aniki, and there's food at their table. Reed Katie walks in just as I'm coming down the stairs. There's a few other Rushers with her and they ogle me in my nice green tunic.

At his throne, is Rosto. A heatless fire, set up by Kora, to provide light without giving off heat, is burning in the fireplace. Rosto looks fierce and beautiful with the light flickering on his face. He's brought his pipe to his lips and is blowing a few practice notes.

I walk over to Tunstall and Sabine. Tunstall gives me a nod, and points out my tan. When I catch Sabine's eye, she gives me a smile, a blush creeping into her cheeks. She asks if there was any more mischief in Port Caynn and I tell her there weren't. By this point, Rosto's finally picked a song to pipe. It's a Love Song and he's chosen Callingbird, being as she's his favorite. It has the fullest sound, one that resonates well on the air. One I can feel with my magic, even though I ain't trying. I think I'll always know the sound Callingbird makes on the air.

"You wanted to know what happens when I sing a love song?" I remind Tunstall, as I stand up. He nods and I give him a wink. "You're about to find out." I feel out the music on the air as I walk towards Rosto. I put my will into it, just a little bit. "Tonight, tonight, won't be just any night. Tonight there will be no, morning star."

Folk have already sat down and are watching me. Unlike the Swan, I will not entertain them all night. This is something they'll only see me do once or twice. Some, like Bold Brian, are wary because they remember what happened last time. "Tonight, tonight, I'll see my love tonight, and for us, stars will stop, where they are."

I've reached Rosto's platform. Unlike the Swan I will not perform for him. But with him. I step up onto the platform and I hear a few folk gasp. What cheek I have, what brazenness, to step uninvited to the Rogue's throne. Piffle. Others are already caught by the song. I find a perch on the arm of Rosto's chair. He's very deliberately playing on his pipe. "To me, the minutes seem like hours, the hours go so slowly, and still the sky is light,"

Rosto's grinning while he blows and I can see him remembering how long it took for me to learn this song. It ain't a hard song. It's just, by the time we got to this line, Rosto's hands had stopped playing the pipe, and were already reaching out for me. So I wouldn't have to 'wait for my love.' We laughed and its good to know the memory (both his interrupting hands, and what happened afterwards) is still sweet and fresh in his mind. "Oh moon, grow bright, and make this endless day, endless night. Tonight!"

We hold the last note together and I can see various couples around the room cuddle into their sweethearts. Kora and Erksen are by far the most nauseatingly cute of all the couples on the floor, followed quickly by Tunstall and Sabine. Goodwin is too frightening to look cute, though the look of tenderness in her eyes, as she holds her mans hand, is rather surprising.

"Ladies, gentlemen, Dogs, Rats, Knights, and Shang. Welcome to the Dancing Dove." Rosto's voice is a deep and powerful rumble. Some folk are asking about me. Two are arguing quietly whether I should be 'the Terrier' and one is arguing that 'the Bloodhound' is a better name for a Dog. I look down and find Rosto giving me a suggestive look. I pretend to ignore it.

Pounce jumps into Rosto's lap. Behave. Or I'll bring you a kitten.

"Forget the kitten. We have you." I scratch him behind the ears, Rosto puts his hand in as well. That way, he can touch me, and say he was just petting Pounce. Rosto's attentive and expressive hands know just wear to scratch and soon Pounce is purring loudly, getting furtive looks from Fuzzball and Laddybuck.

They're just jealous, because we're a team. Mrrts Pounce happily, his purr getting really big. He's enjoying himself and Rosto chuckles.

"Aye," I whisper. "Cat, Rat, and Dog. Best team around to protect the Lower City." This makes Pounce meow his pleasure. Eventually, Rosto stops and places a cream-colored hand against Pounce's black coat.

"Though, sometime's, we're just Pounce, Rosto, and Beka." Says Rosto and his eyes are telling me far more than his words. I have this feeling, we'll be testing that string idea tonight.

MEOW! Pounce responds, butting his head into Rosto's hand, demanding more petting. Constellations are like that. They always have to have the last word.

Story Finished January 21, 2008
By author: Adagio to a Wolf. (Lady Wolf)