A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I won't respond in the story, but I'll try to read and review people's stories. I will hopefully be able to write one or two more chapters on the weekend, since it is a long weekend.
Healing Heart: the life and tragedy of Desdemona of Queenscove Chapter 2: Dessie's Story
As the group entered Steadfast's gates, Dom directed his squad to return their horses to the stables before returning to their posts on the wall. When Dessie had dismounted from in front of him, Wolset took the reins of Dom's horse. "Have fun with my lord," he said, grinning at Dom's misfortune of having to explain the situation to Raoul.
"Thanks ever so," replied Dom dryly before gesturing towards headquarters and following the straight-backed girl through the door.
When the reached the door to Raoul's office, they found it open and the man inside, poring over maps of the area and contemplating a piece of paper on his desk. "My lord?" Dom said hesitatingly.
"Come in, come in. Have you come to explain all the horn calls a moment ago?" said Raoul without looking up.
"Yes, and I think you'll find the answer in front of you, if you look up," replied Dom, pulling the suddenly shy young woman out from behind his back. When Raoul realized their was someone else in the room, he got to his feet and closed the door.
"Sit. Explain." He commanded. It was not a request, and Dom and Dessie took the chairs in front of the desk.
"Well, I took my squad out to find the source of the patrol's confusion, and found this girl. She told the squad she was from Galla, and looking for her brother, who is posted at one of Tortall's northern forts. However, I recognized her for who she really was, my cousin, and Neal's younger sister, Desdemona of Queenscove. Beyond that, I have no idea what she is doing or how she got here."
Raoul was taken aback at Dom's explanation, but quickly followed Dom's gaze to the girl, still clutching the bundle of rags. She looked back, defiantly at first, but soon her gaze softened and fell to the floor. "I told you Dom, I need to find Neal. It's a matter of life and death." She turned imploring eyes to the two men, who just looked back, waiting for an explanation. "Well, since you apparently aren't going to tell me anything until you hear what you want, this is what has happened to me since I left Tortall.
"I was part of a delegation to Galla. I was to marry one of the rich young counts, as part of the treaty for Galla's help in this war. So Father summoned me from the convent, where I had also learned to heal. I went to Galla and married the count, one Count Roche of Lac Leon. He was handsome, and charming. I could find no reason he hadn't been wed already.
"Soon after the wedding, I returned to his home, where I found out why. He beat the servants when he was drunk. Soon enough it wasn't just when he was drunk, and it wasn't just the servants either. He left after a few months, to go to Cria for the fair. He said thaqt when he returned, he hoped I would have a healthy heir for him. He was gone for four months, in which time I discovered I was pregnant. When he returned, he was even worse. He beat me until I broke. I was able to heal myself, but I was afraid for my unborn child.
"A few months later, I was almost due, and he decided to take me to the palace. He said he wanted me to have the best healers, but he really just wanted to show me off. We had only been there a few days when I gave birth to a baby girl. I was scared for both our lives, because Roche had wanted a boy, an heir. I convinced the healers not to tell him, and to not allow him into the room. They knew his reputation for beating and raping common girls, so they agreed.
"It bought us two more weeks. Finally they ran out of excuses. He insisted on coming into my room. When he saw the baby was a girl, he got very angry. I was afraid he would kill me. I was able to protect my daughter with my magic, but I didn't have enough for myself. When he left, I knew he would got to the local tavern, and be there a while, probably overnight. So I took my chance. I packed what little I could, took the baby, and contacted some acquaintances from Scanra, who could help me find a Tortallan fort, and hopefully my brother Neal."
Dom and Raoul stared at the girl, imagining what she had gone through. She looked at the bundle of rags in her lap, which they now realized must be her infant daughter. When they had finally collected their thoughts, Raoul addressed the girl in a soft, soothing voice. "Neal and some others from New Hope refugee camp are coming some time in the next day or two. But, one question, whose life were you talking about when you said it was a life or death situation?"
"My daughter's. I don't know what is wrong with her. I think something happened while I was pregnant. I have some possibilities, but I need another healer's help to find out exactly what it is. Neal was the only person I thought I could trust. For all his being a Meathead, he is still my big brother, and he has always been there for me."
"This count. That's who you said would catch you and drag you back. I can see why you left. Well, I'm sure we can make sure you stay safe." Dom looked at his cousin, remembering all the times he and Neal had tried to trick her, only to have their plans blow up in their faces. Dessie was smart and strong. To hear about someone beating her, her being scared for her life, and her daughter's. It nearly broke his heart to see her broken.
"We will send you back to New Hope with Neal and Kel. You can help Neal in the infirmary, and pretend to be a refugee. And Neal will love having another trained healer there." Raoul was thinking out loud. Dessie's face began to lose the hopeless expression it had worn during the retelling of her story. "For now, you can sleep in a bed in the infirmary, because I'm afraid the only other option is barracks, with the army or the Own."
"Thank you, sir. You have no idea how much this means to me." Dessie smiled at Raoul as the bundle in her lap began to squirm. She unwrapped the baby, and pulled a baby rattle out from the blankets.
Dessie's smile broadened even more as she looked at her daughter. "This is the reason I have gotten this far." She said proudly, and she held the baby up to show the men as she told them, "This is my daughter, Emmaline."
