Maybe I Will Chapter 14
AN: First, I am no longer doing disclaimers. They're dumb, anyway.
Second, I will save anything I have to say till the end. So read away!
Mixed POV:
The next few days passed quickly. They rode as swiftly as they could without harming the horses, and by the time a week had passed, they were within a days ride from Corus. They were stopped at the border by a segment of the soldiers there. Goodwin was taking care of the talks with the Captain while the others waited outside. Beka was leaning on Rosto, who clearly didn't care how long Goodwin took with negotiations. Kora and Erskren were in a similar position, near the horses. Passing guards took small, interested looks at both mots, recoiling quickly at the glares from their respective coves. Beka noticed, and chuckled quietly.
"What's so funny?" Rosto looked down at her face, which was as pale as his from the recent injury. She wouldn't confirm it, but he was pretty sure that it was worse than she let on.
"You're rather possessive for us being together for only two days."
"Two and three quarters, Beka, and I was always protective. I'm just not bothering to hide it now. You're mine now." He said it with such complete conviction that Beka said nothing, just snuggled closer. Rosto saw this as a confirmation, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer than before. She smiled blissfully, closing her eyes. Kora giggled, and Erskren murmured in her ear.
"They move rather fast. How long for Rosto?"
"He's loved her since they met, at Deerborn's. Well, met formally. They ran into each other at The Mantel and Pullet." She looked up at his face as he watched their friends stand their, in their own little world.
"And her?" Erskren looked back down at her.
"That first breakfast, I believe. Mayhap at Deerborn's place. Hard to tell, when she's on duty." Goodwin came out. She was frowning impatiently.
"Apparently, we have to have identification to come back in." Beka looked at her, frowning also.
"What? The Dog uniform isn't enough?" Goodwin was already shaking her head.
"We could have stolen them, Puppy." Beka growled quietly, straightening and starting to pull away from Rosto.
"I'll show them I'm a Dog. I've beaten 'em before." Rosto tightened his hold. He leaned toward her ear.
"Fighting them won't be a good idea. They'll see us as a threat, and kill us all." She nodded, but looked livid. Goodwin nodded.
"So we will wait until Tunstall gets here. That's proof enough to them. Sloppy, but works for me. Now, has anyone gotten any practice in during this crazy quest?" Everyone shook their heads.
"That's what I thought. Puppies, come. We're having baton practice. The Rats can do whatever they wish. I don't really care." In the end they all went to a clearing nearby where the soldiers camped.
Rosto POV:
I've never seen Beka fight with batons before. This will be educational, to say least.
Without warning, Goodwin swung her baton at Beka's head. Beka's baton had been tied to her belt, but somehow, she had it between her and Goodwin before she struck. They thudded into each other, before Beka dodged out of the way and swung her baton for the back of Erskren's knees. He stumbled, turned, and kicked for Beka's head. She wasn't there, already dodging an array of attacks from Goodwin. Erskren jumped into the melee, and they were all exchanging blows. Beka seemed to get the most blows, despite her earlier agility. Then a blow from Erskren caught her gut. She gasped and pulled back. Goodwin was about to attack again, when Beka coughed. Red liquid splattered out of her mouth as she coughed more. I ran over to her, trying to ease her breathing, murmuring in her ear while Kora examined her.
"It's a spell. Un-noticeable until activated. Easy to cure, too." Green magic glowed around Beka's chest, sinking in slowly as the coughs faded. Beka looked at her.
"If it's so easy to cure, why bother? Unless they hoped we wouldn't be able to stop, there's no point." Kora nodded. There was no point, unless…
"Kora, is there any other spell connected to that one? One that could cause trouble?" She shook her head.
"I checked. It seems there was no reason than to have the last word." I nodded. If they had no reason other than that, I was happy.
Beka had other ideas.
"Pounce? Anything to worry about?" Why would she ask the cat? However odd he is, he can't talk, can he? He mewled. Nope. He can't. Good. Talking cats would… complicate things. Beka stood, pulling me up after her.
"Well, I'm sure our dear Rats haven't gotten any practice today. Or for the last few days, for that matter." I shook my head.
"Last few weeks, Beka." She smiled at me, but it was a tired smile. Her lips were dotted in blood. Without thinking, I leaned forward and licked off the blood. The temptation was too great. I gave her a kiss, quick in intention, not in practice. Within seconds her hands were tangled in my hair, my own pulling her closer, one on her neck, the other on the small of her back.
Someone wolf-whistled as Kora giggled. We pulled apart, slowly this time, to see a few off-duty soldiers standing nearby, laughing. I grinned. Leaning forward, I captured Beka's lips again. This time, I pulled her into a dip, so that her hair brushed the ground. I could feel her grinning, as the soldiers laughs turned to cheers. Kora was laughing openly now, joined by Erskren as I pulled her back up. We were both grinning openly. I turned to the soldiers. Bowing, I called, "Thank you, thank you! We'll be here all week!" A new voice called out over the fray.
"Well, if you'd like to stay, be my guest. I was under the impression that I was here to get you home." The owner of the voice walked out of the crowd. A tall, owlish man looked at us, grinning like the rest of us.
"Tunstall!" It was a immediate reaction from all of us. He walked over as the soldiers dissipated.
"Well. Now this is a surprise. Here I was thinking I'd have to hunt all over Scanra to find you, and here you all are. And with Beka and Rosto kissing, of all things. Bizarre world we live in."