Our Ten Letters

Rosto,
Leave me alone. I'm no one's doxy to be fiddled with. I can't change that you live here, but I can change how you treat me, and if you keep this up, I will.
Beka

Beka,
Play nice.
Rosto


Rosto,
How many times will I have to ask you to stop?! Aniki and Kora keep telling you to stop fidgeting me, and if you don't heed my warnings at least respect theirs!
Beka

Beka,
Perhaps once more?
Rosto


Rosto,
I don't get why you keep sending me these gillyflowers. I don't need your 'affections'.
Beka

Beka,
The flowers are because we're friends and I know you like them.
Rosto


Rosto,
I know what you did, and you know I know. But…I'm not going to turn you in. You can't be worse that Kafer. Just make sure you don't do anything that will make me regret turning a blind eye to this.
Beka

Beka,
I'll be ten times the rouge Kafer was. We're going to make this work, Beka, having the rouge and the top puppy in the same place, and neither of us will regret this.
Rosto


Rosto,
…Thank you. There wasn't anything me or any of the other Dogs could have done about the Pell brothers. I'm going away for a while…keep an eye on everyone for me.
Beka

Beka,
Your friends and family are more than safe while I'm Rouge. Be care in Port Caynn, I've heard the rouge there is a piece of work. Be safe, and good hunting, little Terrier.
Rosto

---

I stepped out of the house, hands tucked into my pockets, whistling a tune. Tucked into my tunic was my last letter to Beka. She had started this whole letter-exchange concept back when we had first met to keep from yelling at me in public. I don't know what she did with my letters but all of hers were safe. Yes, I read them frequently.

I weaved my way through the streets of the Lower City to the temple district. I reached the small temple to a local god of travelers, knelt by one of the statues, and tucked the last letter into a small gap in the back of the statue. I also left a small offering to the god; I may not believe in that particular god, but always I give him something for the use of his statue and temple.

I stood, dusted myself off, and looked into the bushes only to see a pair of violet orbs glowing at me. I nodded to Pounce in a silent greeting and the cat appeared next to the statue.

You're late. Pounce grabbed the letter from the hole. You almost missed her, but I'll sneak it into her pack.

I knelt to scratch the cat's ears-I had gotten used to his random comments, though Beka didn't really know how often I could understand Pounce. "Thank you, Pounce."

She doesn't see it, but I know that you're good for her. And I'm not going with her, and I think that this letter will make her feel better about my absence. Good luck, Rosto. Pounce flicked his tail twice at me before disappearing back into the bushes.

I sighed and brushed myself off once more, and picked a stray cat hair off my sleeve. Good luck, my terrier. And may all the gods watch over you.