I know its taken a while to get posted and its kind of short, but its a well enough chapter as they go

CHAPTER 8 – August – Trouble

Kiyra leaned back in her chair, ignoring the small talk around her. It was depressing anyway. King Jonathon had gotten the Dominion Jewel about two days before the earthquake happened. Corus had gotten the brunt and was shaken to its roots. The Dove's business had been slow, but there was no end of talk. It annoyed Kiyra, who was still bitter about Cole's death.

Kiyra was jolted out of her thoughts by Geoff, who slammed the Dove's door upon entering. The conversations quieted for a second, but took up again. Kiyra got up and walked slowly to him.

"Hey, Geoff. How's it going?"

"The monarchs cut the funds for the Rogue. We can't keep the schools, hospitals, or workhouses up anymore." Geoff slammed his fist against the wall.

"At least we keep the orphanages." Kiyra tried to comfort him.

"Don't at least me!" Geoff shouted. "I'm not stupid! You like it better this way! You like us poor! You like the crime!"

Kiyra shrunk back from Geoff, not used to him yelling at her. "That's not true!" She protested. "Maybe it was that way at first, but not anymore."

Kiyra did like to pickpocket and still did it occasionally, but not as a job. She even tried to help get young prostitutes and thieves off the street.

Geoff sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I've seen you help." Geoff slumped against the wall, his anger gone, but frustration still in its place.

Kiyra hugged him. "I understand. Was the meeting today horrible?"

He nodded. "Awful. Just a bunch of arguing and nobody listening." Geoff took a deep breath. "Do you want to go for a walk?"

Kiyra's eyes lit up. She and Geoff hadn't done anything over-friendly since their fight two months ago, although they had resolved it. She had thought that it was over between them.

"Wait, just let me get changed." Kiyra ran up the stairs two at a time. She ran into the Hovel and to her bed. She yanked a parcel from under her pillow and ripped the paper off.

In it was a dress, not fancy, but pretty all the same. No one was in the room, so Kiyra shut the door and slid off her white shirt and breeches. She was clean, having just bathed the night before. She pulled on a thin cotton shift and a pair of cream ladies' hose. The dress was new, never having been worn before. Kiyra clumsily fastened the buttons in the back and made last minute adjustments. She swept Merci's comb through her hair and tied it back with a ribbon.

Taking a deep breath, Kiyra left the Hovel. She almost tripped down the stairs, not used to wearing a dress. The dress was light blue, the color of the summer sky when there hadn't been rain in weeks. It swept all the way down and covered her boots completely. It fitted tight around Kiyra's waist, which wasn't as thin as the Court ladies', but she didn't mind. The sleeves of the dress were also tight and reached to her elbow. The neckline didn't reveal anything but wasn't high either. Geoff gasped when he saw her, then grinned.

"You like it?" Kiyra spun in a circle, making the skirt flare out.

"The only time I've ever seen you in a dress is that time with the Court introduction. I like dresses on you." Geoff offered her his arm and Kiyra took it, smiling.

"Lalasa made it. She can make anything look good." The pair walked out the Dove's door and onto the street.

"I don't think it's the dress." Geoff told her.

Kiyra smiled nervously and smoothed her skirt. "Can we go to Lalasa's? I told her I'd visit 'cause she wanted to see me and Julie's there tonight."

The older teen shrugged. "We can go wherever you want."

Kiyra nodded. "That's where then."

Silence followed the last statement, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. Geoff broke it by asking what seemed like a random question.

"How old are you?"

"Um," Kiyra thought hard, "Sixteen in November. Why?"

"Oh, I was just curious." Geoff wouldn't say more.

The pair crossed the street and knocked on Lalasa's shop door. Lalasa herself answered and let them in.

"Does it fit alright?" It was the first thing that came out of Lalasa's mouth.

"You look wonderful!" Julie breathed, coming up behind the older women.

"Thanks, and yes, it fits fine. You made it." Kiyra reminded her friend. "Is Anna and Jerry here?"

"Jerry's at home with my Thomas, but little Anna's sleeping in the back room." Lalasa answered.

"You can hold Anna; she'll sleep through it." Julie said. "I'll come with you."

The wispy haired, two month-old was sleeping. Not for the first time did the amused Kiyra think of how similar the mother and daughter were. Not just the facial features, but their actions. Both had the habit of sleeping on their stomachs and chewing lightly on a knuckle at the same time.

"Here she is." Julie handed Anna to Kiyra. The baby stirred for a moment, but settled down quick enough.

Kiyra cooed softly and looked down at the little child. "Yesterday you said that you had something that you wanted to talk to me about."

"Yes." Julie looked down. "Cart asked me to marry him."

The other girl stood stunned for a minute, but a wide grin soon beamed across her face. "Nice! That's the best! You said yes, didn't you?"

"Of course." Julie laughed with happiness. "He loves me and he loves Anna."

Kiyra hugged Julie one-armed around the baby. "What about the wedding?"

"Me and Cart wanted something small, just friends. We want it soon." Julie said.

"Congratulations." Geoff leaned against the doorway, with a smile on his face. "Or was this a private conversation?"

"No, you're welcome to it." Julie laughed at her friend. "Cart's looking for a house on Cordwood Lane if you want to see him."

Geoff looked at Kiyra. "Well, I don't want to leave her after I promised her…"

Kiyra gave Geoff a little push out the door. "Go on. I want you to. Give him the 'man' talk."

He gave her a grateful smile and left. Kiyra set Anna back into her cradle, grabbed Julie's hand, and practically danced out of the room.

"Lalasa, Julie's getting married!" Kiyra sang out.

"I know," Lalasa laughed. "Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes." Kiyra said firmly. "And with Cart, too. He's such a good lad."

"It couldn't be anyone better." Lalasa agreed. "And if you want that wedding soon, we'd better start on that dress."

Kiyra could sew, but not well. She could mend clothes, but wasn't close to the talents of Lalasa, or even Julie. Despite her efforts, it seemed that she would never excel at the art.

"I think that I will work on the problem of a wedding present." Kiyra excused herself. The other women laughed, knowing of her skill with a needle.

"You don't have to give us anything." The soon-to-be-bride said firmly.

"Yes I do." Kiyra insisted, just as firm and a bit more stubborn. She rushed out the door before anyone, namely Julie, could convince her to stay.

Kiyra couldn't figure out what to get Julie. She didn't know what Cart would do as a job, since he couldn't be a street acrobat forever. She couldn't get him tools or supplies if she didn't know the job. Maybe it could be something for Anna and the future children. Kiyra liked that idea and expanded on it. She forgot to pay attention to her surroundings.

"You're a mite pretty to be out on the streets this late."

The voice startled Kiyra and she reached for her dirk. It wasn't there. She cursed her stupidity for leaving it on her bed when she had changed into her skirt. Instead, she shifted into a defensive stance and reviewed the situation.

It was a gang of five boys, older than Kiyra or about the same age. They all had shaved heads, except for a tuft of hair above the left ear. They looked tough, and those that weren't holding thick clubs were holding lengths of rope. Kiyra gulped. Her Goat necklace began to burn, but Kiyra realized that help would not be here in time.

In the time it had taken her to think, the gang had circled her. There was nowhere to run. Kiyra began to panic and breathe fast.

"Just give up and everything will go easy for you." The boy who had spoken before walked up menacingly with a strange look in his eyes. Kiyra had seen it in Geoff's eyes when he kissed her. Then, it had been nice. Here, it scared her.

"No." Kiyra shook her head and raised her fists.

"Tie her arms." The boy gestured to the shadows and a younger, blond boy walked out of the shadows.

"Lars?" Kiyra gasped in shock.

Lars did a double take and dropped the rope. He turned to the leader, the boy who had spoken before. "I can't do this – not to her."

"Who is it, your sister?" One of the other boys sneered. "Do it or you won't get paid."

"I can't." Lars gulped. "The others were different. Let her go."

The leader backhanded Lars and he crumpled to the ground. Tears came to Kiyra's eyes and the phrase 'the others were different' was running through her head.

"I'll use my Gift if you don't back down now." Kiyra raised her arms as if she really did have a Gift.

"I see magic." Another boy sniggered. "You have none."

"Oh." Kiyra fumbled for another excuse. "Please, just let me go."

The leader ignored her. He snapped his fingers and two boys grabbed Kiyra before she had time to move. One of the smallest of the five boys was more than happy to tie her wrists behind her back.

Tears were running down Kiyra's face. She kicked and struggled, but she couldn't break free. She bit one boy's hand and stomped on one's foot. That was as far as she got. The boy who talked most punched her in the gut and the air left her lungs. He reached for her skirt and began to run his fingers around the edges.

Kiyra opened her mouth as soon as she could breathe again and said the first thing that came to find. "Geoff will kill you."

A flicker of something, maybe fear, maybe anger, passed through his eyes. "Who, the King of the Rogue?"

"Yes. He'll kill you. You won't be able to sleep at night until he finds you. Then you won't sleep ever again." She rambled.

"Listen to her. She's right." A familiar voice sounded from the edge of the alleyway.

Kiyra's heart leaped. It was Geoff.

Geoff flipped a knife straight into the stomach of the leader. He was attack by the remaining four boys, but dismantled them easily. He wasn't the Rogue Majesty for nothing. Kiyra had dropped to Lars' side, knowing that she could do nothing with her tied hands. Geoff rushed to her side as soon as the last gang member fell to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Geoff quickly slashed at the rope that held her wrists together. Kiyra began to sob with relief and fright, although she was safe now.

"It's Lars." Kiyra turned the unconscious boy over on his back. "He was helping them."

Geoff's faced tightened with uncontrollable anger. "The little…I'll kill him."

"Don't." Kiyra wished she hadn't told him. "I'll talk to him."

Geoff's calloused thumb wiped away the tears on her face. "Ssssh. It's alright."

"How'd you know I needed you?" Kiyra clung to Geoff's arm.

"The same way that the Goats use their necklaces." He explained.

Speaking of the Goats, Rye and Toady whipped around the corner.

"Kiyra, are you okay?" Toady shouted.

"Did they hurt you?" Rye jumped over the bodies like a deer and threw his arms around her.

"I'm fine, really." Kiyra reassured them.

"Geoff made fine work of these." Toady glanced at the dead bodies with an ironic smile on his face.

"We thought you were okay, since the necklaces stopped hurting, but we had to check." Rye looked up at Kiyra just to make sure once again.

"Lars?" Toady knelt by the boy's side and shook him. Lars stirred and half-sat up. "Was he trying to protect you?"

"Yes. He didn't stand much of a chance, though." Kiyra shook her head sadly.

Lars looked very surprised, but he was still guilt faced.

"Let's get home." Geoff helped Kiyra up, who in turn helped to support Lars. Rye and Toady followed, keeping watch for other enemies.

"What in the name of Mithros and the Goddess were you thinking?" Kiyra calmly asked Lars. The pair were alone in Geoff's room, which was a quiet, private place.

Although she hadn't yelled, Lars flushed and looked at the ground. "Nothing."

"Then why? You said that there were others." She looked him straight in the eyes. "You helped those boys rape other women and girls."

Tears came to Lars' eyes and he furiously rubbed at his nose. "They paid me."

This time Kiyra yelled. "You don't need money! You have food, shelter, and friends!"

"I don't have money!" Lars protested. "I didn't make enough stealing."

"What do you need money for?" Kiyra willed him to answer truthfully.

Lars looked at the ground and mumbled something unintelligible.

"I didn't catch that." Kiyra informed him.

He cleared his throat. "Laugh powder."

Kiyra sat stunned on the bed. Laugh powder was a strong drug that made the users forget their cares. It also cost a lot.

"Is it about Cole?" Kiyra asked. Lars nodded. "Listen, that stuff kills you off early. I don't want that happening to you."

"I don't care. It's my decision and I choose to use it." Lars lifted his chin defiantly.

"No. Lars, you know that rape is wrong." Kiyra started to cry again. "You helped hurt other women. You know it's wrong."

"I know. I know. I didn't think. I was so stupid. So stupid." Lars rushed up to Kiyra and hugged her.

"You'll stop with the drugs, won't you?" She begged.

"I don't know if I can. They make me feel better and I need them."

"You don't need them. Goats are stronger than that. You're stronger than that." Kiyra gazed levelly at the younger boy.

Lars stared back for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I'll stop. I can do it."

Kiyra nodded happily.

"Kiyra, how can I make it better…" Lars trailed off mid-sentence.

"You mean with the girls that were raped?" Kiyra supplied.

"Yes. I helped with two. I remember what they looked like. I want to make it right."

"They'll kill you if you go to the Temple of the Goddess."

"I know. I probably deserve it."

"Geoff will know what to do. Go to him and tell him your decision."

"This will probably mean that I don't get to be a knight. I'm okay with that." Lars took another deep breath and left the room.

Kiyra plucked at the coverlet on the bed. She needed to do some praying at the Temple for Lars, something she hadn't done for a long time. She did not want him to die for his crime. He was still a Goat, still her friend.

Goddess, I know I haven't worshiped here for a while and I'm sorry for that. Listen, Lars is in a bit of trouble. Lars is my friend. He's a good boy, just sad. He was buying laugh powder because Cole died. Lars couldn't steal the money he needed, so he got it some other way. He helped a gang rape two girls. He didn't actually rape them, but he helped. I'm sure they could have done it without him, but that doesn't matter. He was wrong and he knows it. As I pray now, Lars is confessing his crime to the Priestesses. They'll decide his punishment. At least it won't go public, seeing as he was just a small accomplice in the crime. He's willing to pay for what he did, only I don't want him to die. I don't think that he wants to die either. Please, don't make him die. Please. Just, don't let the priestesses give him the death sentence. Amen.

Kiyra stood before the altar and flexed her bent knees. She nodded to a Priestess and headed toward the door where Lars had disappeared in. She followed a corridor until she saw Geoff leaning against a wooden door.

"Is he in there?" She asked and he nodded in reply. She gripped his hand in her sweaty, nervous hand and stood next to him.

Five, maybe ten, minutes passed before the Head Priestess came out. Lars was right behind her.

The old women spoke first. "The boy has clearly expressed his sorrow for taking part in the crime. Sending him to the mine or the docks would be a death sentence and his transgressions were not as serious as some we have seen. He is too young to serve as a soldier. Still, justice calls out. He must pay for what he did. It has been decided that he will enlist on a ship of the Royal Tortallen Navy. He can serve as a ship's boy for two years before being freed. It is the best option."

"I'm fine with it." Lars told Geoff and Kiyra. "It's better than dying. It could be a lot worse."

Kiyra wrapped her arms around him and squeezed hard. "You little fool." She whispered into his ear. "You're crazy."

Lars spoke seriously and thoughtfully. "But aren't we all?"