WARNING! Notice that rape occurs in this chapter and there are some unhappy weyrewomen
CHAPTER 8 The Picnic that Went Wrong
Lindan and Zaylana were amazed and delighted that their three children had Impressed; and Lord Deckter also came to offer congratulations and greet Talana. Lindan had other news for Talana too;
"Lord Deckter has made me ranking holder in Larnel's hall, to keep or assign the lands I already hold too." He told her. Talana congratulated him; she had a shrewd idea that this was a smart move on the part of Deckter to promote a weyrwoman's family and thus ensure himself more weyr support. She confirmed this by catching his eye with a small lift of one eyebrow. He grinned unrepentantly and gave a half shrug.
"Of course, it will need to be ratified by the Conclave" he said, "But I understand that there is almost never any overturn of an internal decision on these matters."
"Do you know what you've done to me?" Asked Talana, mock seriously. He shook his head. "You've made me the niece of a man of Rank – and me thinking that those who Rank because of blood not ability are a possible waste of space!"
Deckter roared with laughter.
"Then truly I have my revenge on the dragonmen who did the same thing to me, and me with the same opinion!" He declared. "I believe people should be ratified to rank only if they are capable. It's something I shall be discussing in Conclave."
"The other lords are just going to love you!" T'lana grinned.
oOoOo
Talana had had a bad week with the children by the end of the first week. Sagarra had not been intentionally any trouble – and had intended being helpful to the new weyrlings; but her half brother Marag had been very difficult. Sagarra had been taking more notice of him since he'd been old enough to be interesting, but had abandoned him for the superior charms of Baby dragons. Talana had spoken to her about it, but there was a certain tension between the siblings that had been trying; and had affected the twins. Rogan had in any case thrown out a teething rash and both started to wake up during the night after having been sleeping through. Rofel generally woke first and started chatting to his toes; then Rogan started grizzling and took two or three hours to get back to sleep. Once the dragonets were past the first hectic week, Marag could be allowed to start trotting around on errands, supervised by Sagarra and peace was somewhat restored. Rofel returned to sleeping through; and Rogan only woke if he was in pain. Nonetheless, when L'rilly suggested combining an errand trip for the weyr with a girls' afternoon T'lana jumped at it – as soon as she had ascertained that Lanelly did not mind.
"There are traders at High Reaches Hold" L'rilly told her, "And Keerana, Calla and Pilgra all need supplies that are too boring for any but junior weyrwomen to fetch." She giggled. "I thought we could gather up Sh'rilla, Y'lara, Z'linda and A'ira and have a picnic and gossip. It's a nice flight Straight for you – and I want to pull all the available men to pieces!"
Talana laughed. L'rilly was beginning a tentative friendship with L'gani and also with H'llon, with whom she could start a friendship with no preconceived ideas; she was making the effort to make men friends rather than her previous desperate hunt for a surrogate affection.
Sh'rilla declined the trip, on grounds that she'd 'promised to do something for T'kil' – blushing furiously. T'lana winked outrageously and declared that they QUITE understood; and Sh'rilla pelted her with cushions, burning red.
Z'linda and Y'lara leaped at the chance of an excursion; but A'ira dithered. The young widow was uncomfortable still at her elevated position, and was nervous of the gold riders; T'lana had set her cousin to befriend A'ira, as her clutch mate, and help her to adjust. T'lana felt sure that the strength of the girl would aid her in settling down to being a dragonrider, but it was all very overwhelming for her still.
"I hope you don't think I'm ungrateful, weyrwoman" she told T'lana "But – well, I'd feel an outsider."
T'lana hugged her.
"I don't want you to feel pressured – just know that we'll all be around when you feel more at home with us. Take as long as you need to adjust. Joroth will always be with you."
The young Green rider's eyes lit up in joy and love; and she nodded.
oOoOo
The girls enjoyed dickering with the traders for the necessary items they had been sent to obtain, and parcelled up the cloth and canvases, spices and exotic medicine herbs from more southerly climes, and the richer southerly powdered klah bark. Several Brown riders were happy to collect some of the sacks of goods, providing they did not have to dicker! They left the girls to have an hour or two picnicking by the river; and they carried down a hamper while their dragons dozed happily in the sun on the top of the cliffs. Laughing they chatted freely, revelling in a brief holiday.
It was briefer than any of them could have anticipated.
oOoOo
The six men leapt from the bushes with their crossbows pointing at the four girls; and T'lana knew where the disturbing hiss on her 'inner ear' had been coming from; and cursed herself that she had merely assumed that it was from the Hold barely a mile away. She reached out to her friends, warning,
"Don't call the dragons! Those things could hurt them – and they could fire them before a dragon could stop them."
"Well, well, some nice little rich girlies – someone's bound to want you back alive – and intact." The apparent leader was an ill dressed, rough fellow with cold eyes.
"They think we're Holder spawn. Let's not disabuse them of that idea. If they think we're riders they'll probably kill us out of hand." Aloud Talana said,
"You are not being sensible. Leave and we'll not make an issue of it. This is not a good idea."`
"Shut up and get moving. You're coming with us." He motioned with his crossbow. L'rilly and Z'linda each took T'lana's hand seeking for support, and she squeezed their hands reassuringly. Y'lara scowled; and T'lana sent to her,
"Don't, dear one, these are desperate men! They are jumpy and scared – and that makes them as dangerous as cornered tunnel snakes!"
Talana was frightened; but though it might have been prudent to act cowed to the renegades, she dared not let her friends see; so she swept with dignity in the direction indicated. The men manhandled them along, wary and vigilant, not letting go of the crossbows for an instant, pushing them into the forest of softwood timbers. One of them hit Y'lara, at the back, between the shoulder blades with a blow that made her stumble; the leader said,
"Careful, Zack! If she's injured we might get a lower price!"
"We need 'em outa sight quick, right Biirt?" the rough one replied. "Only hurryin' them like."
Biirt grunted, and stood to one side to motion everyone past, covering the girls as they were pushed into a cave. Z'linda was almost sobbing and T'lana could feel L'rilly trembling.
"Look, we'll not be unreasonable" she said "You don't have to be rough."
The one called Zack backhanded her across the face, and she fell.
"We don't need no lip – nor no leader neither." He growled.
"Be careful – she's pregnant!" cried L'rilly.
Birrt grinned.
"Pregnant, eh?" he said. "Then we can ask for a finder's reward from hubby as well as daddy – or promise to deliver baby – prematurely – as you might say." His pale eyes gleamed. "So we need to know just who you lovelies all are. You first." He said to L'rilly, chucking her under the chin with filthy fingers. She tossed her head.
"I am Lirilly; and my grandfather is Lord Groghe. He will not be happy with you." She said. Biirt laughed and turned to Talana.
"Talana, niece of Holder Lindan from Nabol. His daughter there is my cousin Zaylinda." She edged towards her terrified cousin who nodded confirmation. Biirt turned to Y'lara.
"My name is Yolara, I have no official ranking." She said scornfully.
"Shall I kill her, Biirt?" asked one of the other men. "We don't need to trouble with rankless."
"We c'd have some fun first" added Zack. Y'lara paled, and Talana steeled herself for a desperate, hopeless action. Biirt shook his head.
"Idiots, look at her clothes! She may not rank, but someone'll pay to have her back! What's she doin' with this lot if she ain't got something – and wa's she mean no OFFICIAL rank?" he turned to her as she said this. Yolara quailed.
"Idiot!" snapped Lirilly. "You ought to realise that my grandfather has plenty of vigour with the number of sons he's spawned! Please – kill the slut, and I won't have to be nice to her anymore to keep my position!"
"NICE one L'rilly!" said T'lana as the leader looked thoughtful.
"Very well, tie them up." He said; and stout ropes were produced. Z'linda hugged T'lana and Zack pulled her away roughly.
"Hey, no need for that!" said T'lana. "It's all right dear one, it'll be all right!"
"Zack" said Biirt "Teach that one not to be a mouth. DON'T make her lose the brat, it's of value to us – but she ain't gonna lose value if you get me."
Zack chuckled, and flung T'lana onto the floor. Desperately she concentrated her mind on between, nothing but between as the ghastly stench of his rotten teeth and raw bulb root came closer. He was careful not to damage her too much – perhaps he was greedy, perhaps he feared Biirt's wrath – but T'lana had never known such pain or degradation. Her whole being concentrated on not feeling, not knowing, keeping Mirrith out as much as possible, but she knew the little Queen was crazy with fear and concern over the wash of pain deliberately inflicted. At last it was over, and as Zack trussed her up she sent reassurance as best she could.
"It's all right darling I'm alive and I'm not badly injured. Go to Laranth, bring them to the Hold and be ready. Tell R'gar I love him!"
"I will be back soon. I want to stop the bad man. I want to help you T'lan, how can I help you?" she was distressed, and T'lana swallowed her own pain and fear to soothe her and tell her she could help by waiting. Talana had noticed that most of the men had left the cave now that they were tied, and had left only one to guard them. She heard their voices, rejoicing that the girls had had no firelizards and were easy pickings, while they decided on what messages to send. The beginnings of an idea was forming.
Talana wriggled to lay her head in Z'linda's lap, after taking a good look at the area of cave immediately behind her. The guard said
"Watch it" and brandished the crossbow. Lirilly opened her mouth to retort; but thought better of it. She whispered to T'lana
"What are we going to do?"
"Lean against me – I want you close." T'lana whispered just loud enough for the guard to hear. It did not require much acting to make it sound close to a sob. L'rilly and Y'lara wriggled closer. Talana shut her eyes and reached out for the intelligent little mind of Merga. Carefully she formulated the visualisation, and emphasised the need for absolute silence. The sudden warmth of Merga's soft skin as she butted against T'lana's bound hands filled her with hope.
The guard said,
"Alright, that's enough – move apart." The girls moved obediently; but L'rilly managed to keep partially in front of T'lana, hiding any part of the tiny perfect queen that might show. The guard relaxed somewhat. These girls could never jump him, trussed up like wherries, and they had no way now of undoing each other.
Carefully Talana sent instructions to Merga to bite through her ropes. She could hear the little creature's concerned thoughts and reassured her, reiterating the necessity to get her free. Merga obliged, occasionally sinking her sharp teeth into Talana's wrists in her enthusiasm but the girl showed no sign on her face. At last she felt the last rope free and felt the query from Merga. She scratched the lizard's poll cautiously, and asked her to return to Groghe with Talana's apologies. Merga flicked between; and Talana contacted Mirrith, Tamalenth and Laranth.
"When I say 'now' this is the visualisation." She showed them the outside of the cave, trying to imagine it from above. Then she let out a bloodcurdling cry.
"Shurrup" said the guard.
"The baby" she groaned. "The baby is coming. Help me someone!"
The guard came over, doubtfully, and she writhed, moaning. He bent over her; and his belt-knife was in her hand. There was no time for finesse, as she called the dragons in and thrust upward with all her strength. He let out a sighing groan and fell on her. Talana collapsed beneath his weight, half-swooning.
oOoOo
Talana returned to her senses in R'gar's arms with the girls looking on and clinging together in support.
"O-oh, wasn't it a good job Sh'rilla didn't come!" She cried. R'gar shushed her, and stroked her hair. She buried her face in him. "Mirrith – I must see Mirrith!" She said; and he carried her outside.
Three of the bandits lay trussed up; two were dead. There were several Bronze dragons decorating the landscape besides Laranth and the two Greens, and Vorth as well. M'kel and L'gani were on their way inside. M'kel was bloodspattered and looked grimly satisfied. Lord Bargen stood tutting to himself. He asked R'gar
"The little weyrwoman – is she all right?"
"I'm not entirely sure yet." Said R'gar, grimly, "But she's with us enough to want to be with her dragon."
Mirrith bent her head down to T'lana and made comforting huffing noises. Talana wriggled from R'gar to wrap her arms around her green-gold neck.
"I'm so sorry I worried you darling" she said "But they'd have killed us and maybe you and Tamalenth too if you'd come sooner, and I'd put up with anything before I'd risk you." Mirrith's eyes stopped whirling quite as fast and the angry red was fading from them. R'gar supported T'lana so she could stand leaning on Mirrith, as L'rilly emerged from the cave with L'gani's support to go to Tamalenth. M'kel was seeing Y'lara to Vorth and for some reason young H'llon was left helping Z'linda.
"H'llon?" asked T'lana, puzzled.
"L'gani grabbed him up as we left." R'gar explained. "Apparently he's handy in a fight; and L'gani likes him." Talana nodded. She saw H'llon hand her cousin up to T'kil, and climb up himself on invitation.
oOoOo
The flurry of wings indicated the arrival from Betweenof another dragon, and a Blue not of High Reaches came in to land. Merga flew chittering and crooning to Talana and wrapped herself round the young Queenrider's neck. Talana rubbed her head and stroked her back until she was shivering in pleasure, telling her what a clever little darling she was; and she turned to the Blue dragon to give a smug little 'chirp'.
"Ha! Looks like I arrived too late, what?"
Lord Groghe's voice boomed out.
"Lord Groghe?" R'gar sounded puzzled.
"You can blame Merga if I'm superfluous, Bronze rider." The Lord Holder said. "She insisted that I should come – told Kirrith here too – so here I am. A wild tale about someone hurting young T'lana what?"
"Not wild" said R'gar grimly, turning so that Groghe saw Talana's somewhat battered state..
"Damn cheek of these people! Really sorry! Anything I can do –what?" He spluttered, enraged..
"Quite so, Groghe." Said Bargen. "About time we discussed policy if these thugs cross borders. Let's you and me call on Deckter and Oterel and have a little chat about it."
"Good idea! Good idea! If even weyrfolk aren't safe!" Groghe hrummph'd and tutted as R'gar wrapped T'lana up and installed her on Laranth.
"Don't forget to fly straight" she whispered.
"Be damned if I will" growled R'gar. "It's overdoing it at this time does the damage – and I want you safe back home. I'll not risk you for the baby. Besides" he added "If it's survived all that, it's probably too stubborn to die. Bound to be a daughter."
Talana decided not to argue. She felt too bad.
oOoOo
Back at the weyr, R'gar bathed her and dressed the abrasions and bites, and put her to bed. He stood dithering.
"Stay with me" she whispered; and he sat with her and held her. "I feel very numb" she told him. "As though I'm not attached to me. R'gar, I don't think I'm going to be able to make love for a long time."
He kissed the top of her head.
"It's all right." He told her. "We'll be together. I love you my dearest one; nothing can ever stop that. You are my Talana whatever happens. I will always be here for you; I will do everything I can to help you." He held her, stroking her; and at last she began to cry, dry choking sobs. R'gar rocked her like a child; and she cried until she fell exhausted to sleep.
oOoOo
Talana went around half dazed for several days, not skimping on her duties – which she insisted on resuming, to give herself something to think about – but not totally in touch with her surroundings. R'gar worried about her; but Lanelly told him that she would need time to adjust; and that the most important thing was for him to continue to demonstrate his love because the girl would be suffering from a loss of self worth. Lanelly explained that Talana would be afraid of losing his love and esteem. R'gar was careful to show his love to Talana, and she appreciated it. She wished she could show him in return; but was unable to respond. At last she decided to take matters in hand; and tuned in on a young Green who was suspiciously irritable.
oOoOo
The flight enabled T'lana to break through the barrier with R'gar; and afterwards she cried a little, and laughed a little, and clung to him, kissing him thankfully.
"Anyway" she said "Some good has come of it." R'gar gave her an astonished look.
"What?" he asked.
"Now I can help girls better when they've been raped – or flown by someone that upsets them." She said seriously. R'gar stared at her, hardly able to believe his ears. He gave up, and kissed her. She snuggled at him, knowing that it would be all right, even if it took a while.
"And I am here" said Mirrith comfortingly; and Talana murmured contentedly into her love's chest.