BLOODHOUND: fanfic style

I own nothing. Tortall is owned by Her Esteemed Majesty, Tamora of Pierce. This is my take on what will happen in Bloodhound, based on the blurb Tammy put up on her Live-Journal and her website. Rated for violence, language, and content. Some RostoxBeka, but WAAAYY later. Please Read and Review!!

I realize that I haven't written in a while. The weather has been murderous, with the rain driving the lower city mad. Weather like this keeps all Dogs busy, all the time. It don't help that I'm getting little sleep when I get home. So I'm tired and getting little sleep, what else is new. I knew that being a Dog would be hard.

After Rosto took charge of the court of the Rogue, I've wondered whether I should stay at my Puppy residences. Ahuda told me to stick it out, at least until I finished my Puppy year. "The only place safe from the Rogue, is with the Rogue." If that logic makes sense. She mentioned something about it being smart to keep a Dog in the Rogues court, though everyone thinks me bought for sure. Not like Rosto does business around me neither, but I stayed. Least, I'm trying to stay.

Rosto spends nights in all parts of the city. That don't bother me, I see him enough on Night Watch, and on occasions for breakfast. If not, I'm happy with Aniki and Cora for company, and if not them, I've got Pounce. That isn't my problem. Afternoons, is busy here. The Rogue and his court are in and out of this place, day and night. It puts me on my guard, when I want to be sleeping. Rosto tells me no one will kill a Dog under his roof, especially acos everyone will think it was him. And he doesn't want me dead. What with watch and the weather and not getting any sleep, all my nerves are fair raw most days.

It's been a hard spring. My first year as a real Dog isn't going so well. Well, see, I was partnered up with Dorrel. He's a second year Dog, but his partner went and kicked the bucket during the Midwinter festival. Not that I can blame her or nothing, I got my arm broke that night acos it was that violent. But this spring, a sweating sickness passed through Tortall, and just when we thought it was over, Dorrel takes sick, and faster than a sneeze, he died. That was just a few days ago. Now granted that was horrible and I got assigned to patrol with Goodwin and Tunstall while Ahuda found me a new partner, still, I didn't want my first partner to die acos of a sarden fever.

April 15th, 247

Yesterday a few second and third year dogs quit. Which got me a new partner, a cove by the name of Martis. He's fair enough, but he keeps messing up my name calling me Copper or Puppy instead of Guardswoman Cooper. I don't know if I like him, but my works keeping me busy. The city is in unrest.

Spring wheat failed, and the price of bread has gone up. I'm not too happy acos I can't feed my birds, but they've been relatively quiet. Still, I like to know what information my birdies might have for me.

April 20th, 247

I kept quiet about Martis messin up my name, only today Tunstall heard him. He yelled himself hoarse at the cove: something about me being a Terrier and him being a lap-dog. Martis wasn't to happy about it, but what could I say? He was right angry, saying if I had a problem with him calling me Copper instead of Cooper, I should have said something about it, not gone and tattled to Tunstall. I tried telling him I didn't tattle, but me being so poxed shy, I just swallowed and nodded.

April 21st, 247

I found Martis tonight at the Rogue's Court, which is still in the old bank building, I had gone to find Aniki and Cora because Laddybuck had gotten into a fight with a rat (the squeaking kind). I found Martis gambling with several other Rats, and his dice were weighted: Well I near as had a fit. Didn't he know what happened to Dog's that was caught doing something crooked? Well, as I was still in Uniform and he was in civilian clothes and not on Watch, I called him out on the dice in front of the whole court of the Rogue.

Rosto looks at me from his throne, calm as you please, and says "Will you be dealing with the cheat, Guardswoman Terrier? Or would you like the Rogue to handle it?" If looks could kill, Rosto would have withered up right there on the spot from the glare I gave him. He don't have to do my job for me. I know what I'm supposed to do with a Crooked Dog that gets caught. Rosto just thinks I won't do it acos Martis is my partner and fellow Dog. I hope that throne is hard and uncomfortable.

"I know my job. You don't have to do it for me." I say's to him, calm as you please. "He'll eat his dice for this." And I arrested Martis right than and there. People chattered. It's a hard day when a Dog's got to arrest another Dog, much less her partner. I knew that some Dog's were crooked, but I got landed with a real piece of work. I handed him over to the Cage Dogs. I told Ahuda where I found him and what I was charging him with and she didn't look pleased at all. She took precautions, what with her knowing that the new Rogue would want his revenge. Nobody cheats Rosto. Not even a Dog.

April 23rd, 247

Didn't change anything. We found Martis dead in the Cages yesterday morning, hanging from the rafters by his feet, his Dice in his mouth. Ahuda told me to ask the Rogue if he knew anything. I told her he'd probably not tell me anything, but that I'd give it a try.

I wanted to go off at Rosto when I saw him this morning, but I knew it was useless. I had no proof he ordered it, and I'd never get his help in catching who did it. But it's him usurping my authority as a Dog, and him thinking I can't do my job right. I did sommat at breakfast today that was unusual, well unusual for me.

"Rosto," I tell him, looking him square in the eye over toast and sausages "When the Terrier makes an arrest, the man stays arrested. If what happened last night happens again," I paused for a second, I never use the nickname the street-folk have for me, but I figured I could rub his nose in it just this once, " I'll set my teeth in you next" I threatened quietly. Rosto stiffened some at that comment. He relaxed and raised his hands to admit defeat.

"You're very right, Beka" he smiled and passed me some marmalade "Stop growling at me, I said you was right, didn't I?" He didn't look like he meant it but I let it pass. The Rogue deals with some Rats. Honor among thieves I guess. But I try not to arrest Rats in front of Rosto. If only acos it makes it painfully obvious that he's King of the Rats. And I'm a Dog.

April 30th, 247

I got assigned Roran today. And I dropped Roran today.

I don't want to explain in too much detail why Roran is no longer my partner. Let's just say he said some things I'd have never heard Tunstall say to Goodwin and I offered him violence as payback if he even dared. He claimed I was the Rogues' Doxy and I gave him a NapTap right then and there. Clary herself couldn't have done better. Left him next to the fountain too. Went to Ahuda and told her I wanted a different partner acos Roran was a pig. She didn't have one so I'm to patrol through Beltane with Tunstall and Goodwin. "Sadly, someone always leaves after Beltane, either they die or quit, we'll find you a partner then."

May 1st 247

This is just a quick note and I'm off to try and sleep. Again.

Rosto's decided to make good on his promise of turning the place into a Pub/Inn. He hasn't a name for it yet. It sure makes sitting inside difficult what with the reconstructing of the first floor planned to take all summer. If I never hear another hammer…but I can't say that. Rosto hired people, giving them jobs and him knowing money's tight, and paying them fair wage to do the job. I shouldn't complain. So I don't. Not aloud. It's just hammering in the afternoon and Rats visiting during the night, and me not sleeping well, and my not having partners and bad weather, and the bread price risin has me in a foul mood. A very foul mood.

Beltane is in two days. It's a very dangerous night and I'm not looking forward to it. I'll never forget Verene's death last year.

BELTANE (Or May 3rd, 247)

The festivities tonight were a horror. So many pickpockets, but not nearly as devastating as last years Beltane. Still, I got a nasty bruise for my work tonight. Lucky for me I don't have to visit my lord anytime soon. People were especially bad this Beltane, money is still tight and food is just as tight. The summer crops aren't doing so well.

I also heard rumors from a Unicorn Dog that I couldn't keep a partner acos I was unlucky, or proud, or some other such nonsense. Later Rosto told me that odds were against me keeping my next partner for more than 2 weeks. I bet him a gold noble that I could keep the next one for a month and he said he'd make sure I pay up. Not like I could avoid him, us still living in the same house. Only by that time it was starting to really look like an Inn.

The Dogs got lucky tonight, no one died. Not like Verene and Rollo did last year. But a fair few Puppies have quit. And a few first year dogs. None of the Lower City, maybe they'll transfer one for me from another district.

May 13th, 247.

I got assigned Landive, he was from the Unicorn District and he don't like it here in the Lower City. Says it's too different from the Unicorn District. His partner gave up after Beltane. Went mad trying to keep up with all the extra Rats.

We argued today acos he used to work in the Unicorn District, and I've always wanted the Lower City. "Why? You can't make a difference here. Why even bother?" and I told him, that in the Lower City is where the people needed most protection and the most hope. He looked at me like I was right mad.

Good news though, my bruise is almost gone. Rosto's sporting one the size of an apple on his cheek though. People still don't like a Scanran cove as the Tortallan Rogue. Most don't care. He was much better than the last one. They like that he's hiring folk for his "Inn/Pub." He's right proud acos he designed the room himself. It'll be a bit pricy, but he thinks it'll be worth it.

Bad news: grain is still doing poorly. I'm hearing that entire crops have been blighted. The city is living off reserves, which won't hold out through the winter if the next crop doesn't make it. People will go hungry. To make matters worse, the price of bread has gone up again. I whole copper noble for a full loaf!

May 23rd, 247

Landive threw in the towel. Said I was too much for him. Too eager. I'm confused, Tunstall and Goodwin always thought that was a good thing, so how is it bad now?

He went right back to the Unicorn District, "where the Dog's is less insane." He should've just said 'where the works easier and the Happy Bag's bigger' and be done with it. I was boiling mad. He couldn't stick around for a few more days!! 15 poxy days and I'd have won that bet with Rosto.

Well, Rosto found me this afternoon, and he grinned like Pounce when he's got Fish on his whiskers. He took my noble and patted me on the back. He whistled out of my room, only to come back with lunch. A BIG lunch. So my noble was useful in some way. Cora gave me a hug as she walked in to sit on the floor. "I'm sorry Beka. I can't imagine how much it hurts you." Aniki walked in with Erskren, who also gave me a hug. "Sorry about your partner Beka. He just doesn't understand what it means to care about the people instead of the Happy Bag."

"4 partners in 6 weeks," whispered Aniki carefully, "That's got to be a record? Right?" I knew she was trying to make light of it, so I'd have something to laugh at, but I was depressed.

"'Nah. It's 6 partners in 1 month that's the record." Responds Erskren, when he see's my forlorn look. "Look at it this way Beka, you're doing better than the record holder did, and you get to be back with Goodwin and Tunstall." Tunstall put his arm around me when he heard, "Let it go Beka, he gave up, not you. That's what's important."

I sighed miserably. I liked being with my Training Dogs, but I felt horrible that I couldn't hold onto a partner, and work, of my own.

Hold On. Tansy just walked in. She looks shaken. I figure I can hold off my misery long enough to hear what's got her in such a state.

Cont'd from May 23rd 247

I take back what I said about being miserable. I'm not miserable no more. Thank the Gods for Tansy. Even though she's always getting in trouble, she's saved my life. Well, she's saved my sanity at least. I've got a scent: something bad that could get real bad. I'm tired but will explain tomorrow after I'm let out from Court. After Watch, I told Goodwin and Tunstall about what I heard from Tansy. Tunstall rekons that this is one of those "My-Lord-Provost-should-be-kept-in-the-loop-about-this-one" cases. "You still see him on your day off? Excellent, Clary and I will meet you there." I dunno if Lady Teodorie will like that I'm bringing my Dogs with me and I know she'll be sharp. Luckily, I've no bruises this time.

I promise I'll write Tansy's information, as well as whatever happened in court, but I'm beat. I made double sure I didn't get bruised tonight. Tonight was also the Happy Bag. That always makes me tense. Someone whispered that if I bedded the Rogue he might sweeten the Happy Bag. I resent that and it's got my nerves even more fried than usual.