FORESHADOWING

REVIEWS

Ozodrac – I know, it was short, but I don't want to include too much at once or I'll run out of plot, frankly. Confusion is good… In some cases… I'll update as soon as I can. Promise.

Lunatic: Yes, Laura… That's nice… Hehe, I know what you meant, honest.

Jess: Thank you for soiling my mind. I now feel vaguely nauseous. :shudder: As to the other… Hadn't planned for it, but I'll see. Working on your challenge, too.

Vetinari's eyes: Oooohhhh, a new reviewer! That's always nice! And, sssh. :shifty eyes:

Ned: Hmm, I'm not sure about Rust. I know what's going to happen, but not how… :has an idea: Fun. Wait and see :wink:

o-aki-hoshi: Another new reviewer, excellent.

Watchman: You'll see. :mysterious smile:

Froggiesrcool: Wow, long review, but a great summary of the story. I don't want to spoil it by answering any questions. Thanks for reviewing Memories, too

Okay, people. I am well aware that I haven't updated since midsummer. This is because my parents bought me a laptop for my 18th in June; I promptly transferred all my files to the laptop and only then learned that it had no Internet connection. Writing this now, the date is the first of October, and I still can't access the net. So that means I couldn't upload anything. I apologise, but I couldn't do anything about it.

To try and make up for it, this chapter will have the promised surprise, a bit ahead of schedule since I'd planned it for several chapters down the line. But you guys deserve a reward for waiting for me. Enjoy.

And Thud! didn't have anywhere near enough fluff to keep me happy.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Angua growled for the fifteenth time that evening, "Gaspode, will you please shut up?"

He answered stubbornly, "Not 'til you tell me what Vetinari meant. What friend've you an' he got in common?"

"I told you, I'll tell you later. I can't do anything about it until after sunrise anyway; I'll need fingers. Now shut up and come on; we need to find Carrot."

Grumbling, the dog trailed after her, and decided to change the subject. "So you say you found out this morning?"

That earned him a glare. "You know, I believe I preferred you arguing with me."

"You're avoiding the subject."

"No, really?" She sighed and gave in. "Okay, yes, this morning. I already told you that."

"I know," he protested, "but it's a lot to take in, y'know? I mean, you bein' –"

A snarl cut him off, and when he glared at Angua she shook her head sharply to keep him silent and made a show of sniffing the air. Blinking, the dog raised his own scabby muzzle and inhaled. "What's that?"

"Another werewolf," she muttered. "Thank you, Gaspode. Thanks a lot. It'll be all over the community by sunrise."

"I didn't say anythin'," he argued. She gave him a flat stare.

"You said just enough that he checked my scent. I didn't want anyone to know for exactly this reason. They all hate me and I really, really don't have time to keep watching my back waiting for the next attempt to hurt me. Or them."

"Them?" he repeated, before catching her expression and whining apologetically. "I didn't mean to," he said softly. "I didn't know anyone was listenin'." After a moment she nodded, and he asked, "How long's there bin another werewolf here, anyway? I didn' think they dared any more."

She shrugged. "Can't have been long, or I'd have heard about it. Nothing to be done now, anyway. Come on, let's get this done; I want some sleep tonight."

Carrot met them a few minutes later and told them what he'd heard. Gaspode wasn't really contributing much to the conversation, and after a meaningful look from Angua took his leave. The two werewolves looked at each other.

"What's Rust up to?" Angua muttered, scratching an ear. "What's he trying to make Leonard do?"

"I didn't hear," he said apologetically, flicking an ear uncertainly until she shrugged and touched his fur with her nose gently. Reassured that it didn't matter, he asked, "What did Vetinari say?"

She grinned at him. "He asked me to tell a mutual friend what's happened and get her advice."

The red wolf trotted along silently beside her for a few minutes, thinking hard, and finally understanding dawned. "Margolotta."

"Yes," she agreed, eyes dancing. "It's the first time I've heard that tone of voice from Vetinari, too… Very interesting."

He looked at her. "Don't tease him about it, Angua. He won't appreciate it."

She sighed affectionately. "That's the second time today you've spoiled my fun," she told him. "Come on, let's get back to the Yard. I need to think about what I'm going to put in this letter tomorrow."

They loped along side by side through the empty streets for a few minutes before he said awkwardly, "Something's different, isn't it."

She looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. "Yes," she agreed softly. "I didn't want to tell you until this was sorted out, but… Well, Gaspode guessed as soon as he saw me tonight, and a werewolf followed us - I don't know who - earlier. The whole undead community will know by sunrise."

He nodded slowly. "So it's dangerous, then."

"Isn't everything?" she told him wryly as the two edged carefully around the door of the Watch House. Fred was on duty at the desk; he saluted the two wolves and said carefully and clearly, "He's not due until tomorrow at nine."

Relaxing, one worry over, they darted swiftly up the stairs and Carrot shouldered the door to their room shut behind them before sitting on his haunches and looking at her expectantly. She looked back at him before dropping her eyes and moving over towards the window, avoiding the issue for a moment longer as she let herself think about it for the first time all day.

In a way she was glad to tell him tonight. As wolves it was simply easier to deal with; a wolf couldn't faint from shock, at least in her experience, and lupine vocabulary didn't allow for inane questions.

When she turned to face him, her eyes were shining and she looked happier and more relaxed than Carrot could remember seeing her in a long time. He sniffed the air again, puzzling over the new change to her scent, and something clicked. Blue eyes slowly widening, he stared at her, already knowing before she spoke.

"I'm pregnant."