Disclaimer: None of the recognizable characters are mine
Maybe I Will
Chapter Three
Rosto POV:
It had been over a week since Beka disappeared. I am convinced that it was the Rogues that Kora heard talking, though the others try to convince me that it may not have been. It bothers me, since those rogues were in my inner circle, and knew a lot of information that traitors should not have. They took a brief "vacation" a day before Beka was kidnapped, and have yet to return. Argh! This is infuriating! She could be anywhere from Scanra to Carthak by now, and I can't do anything! Aniki and Kora (not to mention a lot of other Rogues and even Beka's Dogs) tell me repeatedly that I cannot leave the city, so close to my ascension to the Rogue's throne. It would throw the entire city into chaos.
Beka's Dogs have been trying to keep her disappearance quiet, whilst they search for her in silence. They have told Ahuda and the Lord Provest, but no others. It must be as annoying to them as me, that they can do nothing.
I hear footsteps, startling me out of my thoughts. Silently, I draw a blade in each hand and turn to the source of the noise. It was Kora. She carried a slip of paper, and looked terrified of it. That was shocking. She was never scared. Of anything or anyone.
"Kora?" I asked uncertainly. Her terror was making me uncomfortable. "What is it?"
She held out the paper with shaking hands.
"You need to read this. It's about Beka."
Beka POV:
I looked around again, blinked, rubbed my eyes, then looked again. It was still a palace. Although the décor was decidedly not Tortallian, it was still obviously a palace or castle of some sort. It was the length of my Lord Provest's house from one end of the hallway to the other, and it was much more expensive. I felt subconscious, small and dirty compared to it. I looked down, relieved to find my shoes and dress in good condition.
What happened? I was coming home and there was that cove and then a pain in my head, then… Nothing. I had been unconscious the whole way here, it seemed.
My stomach growled, telling me that the first thing to do was get some food, then worry about where and why. As I walked down the hallway, warily listening for any sounds of other people, I tried to determine what the décor reminded me of. It was right on the tip of my tongue…
Heh. I just remembered. I was supposed to talk to Rosto about why I've been avoiding him for the past few days. Now I don't have to. He'll be to busy figuring out who would dare kidnap someone without his permission, so close to his home.
Suddenly, I had it. What the palace reminded me of. Scanra. In particular, Rosto's descriptions of the Rogue's palace there.
He built his home like the kings, and lives just as well, if not better than the king. There is more money spent there on new decorations than all those in Corus spend on food for a month. The furniture is so expensive that you feel you must bathe before sitting down. Just as well. Only choice few can set foot inside, let alone be invited to sit.
Footsteps from around the next bend startled me out of my thoughts. Quickly, I ducked behind a tapestry and hid in the alcove behind it. Just before the steps rounded the corner, I remembered to hide my feet.
The person walking by did so quickly, as though they wanted to get whatever chore they were doing over with. I waited until I could no longer hear them, then went the direction they had come from, making sure not to make a sound. Soon, I heard people coming toward me, talking quietly. Again, I hid behind a tapestry and listened to their conversation.
"So The Rogue kidnapped that… er… Puppy just to get that Piper and his mots back?"
AN: Using the Rogues name if not formally acquainted is considered a terrible offense and is punished severely.
"Yeah. His spies from the Tortallian Court say that he is good friends with the girl. Some even say he's in love."
"I don't think that he's just gonna come back here, knowing he'll be killed for leaving. Even if he does have feelings for the mot, he knows that with him dead, she'll have no uses. The Rogue'll dispose of her."
They walked on, leaving me hiding there, a tumble of thoughts. So it was the Scanran Rogue what kidnapped me. And for what? Revenge. Rosto, Aniki, and Kora left his inner circle, only to become head Rogue of Tortall less than three months later. He prob'ly saw that as an insult, and Rosto as a threat.
And as for Rosto being in love with me… Preposterous. He was just fooling around. Flirting for fun. That kiss had been a joke, and me isolating myself just made him uncomfortable. We were just friends. Just friends. And ignoring the painful restriction in my chest at that thought, I set off again.
Many times, people came my way, all with similar conversations. As I walked on, I thought.
How long have I been here? When will they realize that I am gone? Am I heading toward the kitchen, or just getting hopelessly lost? What time is it, anyway? Will I even be able to get food now?
The last few questions were answered quickly. I passed into a hallway overlooking a herb garden. It was very late at night. Those last few people I had seen had been heading for bed, as like as not. Then I saw an open doorway. It was almost completely dark inside, but the torches outside showed it was, thankfully, the kitchen. Cautiously, I entered, wary of cats or dogs. None were there, but I was still careful. There was some fruit, bread, twilsey water, and ham, all laying ready to be used for breakfast in the morning. Not knowing how long it would be until I came back, I took a lot, but left enough that hopefully the cooks would not notice.
There was a small sound behind me. I turned, hoping that it was an animal. I was half-right. There stood Pounce, eating a piece of cheese and looking slightly smug.
"Pounce!" I whispered. Who knows how close the bedrooms were to here? Pounce looked at me, cat-grinning
Yes, it is me. Now that you're finally awake, may we go back home? These Rogue's annoy me.
I grinned. That was Pounce, all right. As cynical as ever, even in dangerous territory.
"All right. Let's go home."