Disclaimer: Oops! Forgot about this last time. But obviously, Tamora Peirce doesn't write on fanfiction, so clearly, I'm not her. Nuff said.
I woke up the next morning to the sound of boxes being carried down the stairs. It was still quite early I judged by the darkness outside the windows. I stood up stiffly, my collarbone still aching somewhat, reached down on the floor to grab one of the discarded shirts. "Rosto?" I said softly from the top of the stairs. Then I realized why I had been in his room in the first place, the events of last night came rushing back to me. I flew down the stairs with as much energy as I could muster and into a large carthaki man dressed in a vest and colorful pantaloons. I blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry," I mumbled.
"Beka?" I heard Rosto's voice come to me from outside.
I ran to him, "I thought you would leave without saying goodbye." I whispered to him, blushing an even deeper red.
"Now lass, how could you ever think a thing like that?"
I gestured to the cart
being readied and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in
the crook of his neck.
"I love you, you know that lass." He
whispered into my hair.
"I love you too. I always will." I whispered, my heart beating rapidly. He bent down and kissed me, a passionate and fervent kiss, I needed him as much as he needed me. We broke apart when someone grunted and I became aware that we weren't alone. I also noticed I was wearing Rosto's too big shirt, and nothing else. A scarlet flush washed over my exposed body. "You'll come back, I know you will. I'll miss you so much."
He cupped my face in his hand and looked me in the eyes, "Beka, I love you. Goodbye." He kissed me one last time before walking away to the horses. He would be making the trip to Tusaine with Phelan and Bold Brian.
"Goodbye." I said under my breath as I watched them leave, "Gods speed."
Hillyard watched silently as the young lover's said their goodbyes. So this Scanran pretty boy did have a weakness, her name was Beka Cooper. They'd be seeing each other soon enough. He was to make sure of it. His King would definitely not like it if this pretty little puppy didn't join her newfound lover in Tusaine.
I walked slowly up the stairs and into Rosto's room. I gathered up my uniform from the floor, made his bed and closed the door. I would miss him, so much. But my life would go on, and today was my day off. Perhaps I would go visit my family at my lord Provost's house. I opened the door to my room to find a box wrapped in blue ribbon sitting on my bed. I walked over to it and read the tag. Happy Birthday Beka. I had forgotten. Today I turned 17. I opened the box to reveal a pretty deep blue dress. I took off Rosto's shirt and pulled on the dress. It fit perfectly; I could only guess who it was from. I miss him already.
"Happy Birthday Beka!" Aniki hugged me as she and Kora burst through the door, Ersken trailing behind them. He grinned and handed me another box.
"From
me an' Kora."
I opened it to reveal a laundry charm, the one
that makes all the dirt on your clothes go away, and some feed, for
my pigeons. I hugged them both, "Thankyou! You know me to well.
It's just what I needed"
Aniki handed me a brown bag, "this ones from me."
I unfolded the soft brown bag to reveal a pretty brown comb, dotted with sapphires. "Thanks Aniki! It's very pretty."
"Yes, but it's more than just a comb, press the sapphire in the middle."
I
gently pressed the stone and gasped in surprise when the bottom of
the teeth popped open to reveal tiny razor blades. I grinned at the
ingenuity of it, "Smart Aniki, I can wear this to the Provost's
today, Lady Teodorie won't know a thing." I hugged her in
thanks.
"That's a pretty dress Beka." Kora said over
breakfast, "where'd you get it?" She asked with a knowing
smile.
"Thank you Kora. Rosto gave it to me." I replied with a smile of my own.
"I knew it! Pay up Aniki!" Ersken said gloating.
"For what?" I asked with confusion.
"You
and Rosto. Ersken and Aniki made a bet as to whether or not you would
admit that you loved him before, you know, he left." Kora said as
Aniki put a god noble into Ersken's outstretched hand.
I
smiled, "Sometimes I do wonder how I ever came about friends like
you all. Anyway, I'm off, I'll see you tonight?"
"Sure Beka. Happy Birthday."
