The Lady's Scars

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th July 2014

Characters: Benani, Barenziah
Description: Benani gets some of the help she needs.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 18 of Turn 7

Benani

Barenziah

Barenziah had been more than surprised when Zathris had assigned her
to Lady Benani so quickly after the Lady's return. There had been wild
rumors and stories about what had happened with Benani, but Barenziah
was determined to take all of them with a grain of salt until she
heard directly from Zathris or Lady Benani herself about what had
really happened. Her job was to take care of Benani, and she aimed to
do just that.

"Milady?" Barenziah spoke in a soft tone as she entered the Lady's room.

The room was dark with the drapes fully closed. Benani sat on her bed
against the headboard with her knees drawn up against her chest. Her
eyes followed the woman into her room but she didn't answer. It was
very difficult to believe she was actually home. To many of her fogged
dreams during her captivity had been rudely shattered by another
assault.

It took a moment for Barenziah's eyes to adjust to the dimness in the
room, but once they did they honed in on the woman sitting on the bed.
She smiled, and moved slowly toward the bed, "Wouldn't you care for
some sunlight ma'am? I could open the drapes just a touch...." She
offered.

"No," the word exploded from Benani's lips. She was shaking and hugged
her knees harder. "He might see you, and then he'll kill you. Too much
blood everywhere," she hissed. Her eyes were a little wild. "Don't let
Xebex come in or he'll make me kill him."

Barenziah, whose hands had been reaching for the drapes, automatically
withdrew, "Okay, okay," she said soothingly, "we will keep them drawn
then. What about a candle? Do you think he would allow that?" She
didn't know who 'he' was, but 'he' was a very real fear for the Lady.

"Who are you?" Benani wasn't sure if the other lady was someone else
Crolarin had kidnapped. Her mind wasn't really working right and she
knew it.

"Barenziah," she said her name clearly. It wasn't the first time Lady
Benani had asked it of her, but she patiently supplied it each time.
"Lord Zathris asked me to be your lady-in-waiting, yes?" Barenziah
tried for a different tactic, "What about a hot bath, hm? I could draw
one up for you and then you could get into a clean dress, and perhaps
we could eat some breakfast. Here in your room. Safe and sound."
Chiffon popped into the room, the little gold practically sqwuaking in
terror as tried to pull back in time to make a landing on Barenziah's
shoulder. Chuckling, Barenziah held her hands up and caught the flit,
"Nice try, brat." She muttered to the creature.

Benani's eyes got dark when the woman Barenziah mentioned Lord
Zathris. She remembered what Crolarein had beat into her. Zathris had
a new wife... maybe this was her but... she rubbed her head it hurt so
much. "Yes," she said softly. "A bath is good."

She gasped with the flit popped in but it wasn't Xebex so she wouldn't
be forced to kill it. She took a deep breath and unfolded her long
legs from her chest. "Breakfast would be nice." She peeked around the
post of the bed to see the flit again. "It's gold."

Barenziah smiled, "Yes, she is. Her name is Chiffon. She is still very
young so she hasn't quite got the grasp yet of landing gracefully."
She held the little gold between her hands, "Would you like to hold
her while I send down for some breakfast and get your bath drawn?"

"Chiffon," Benani said looking down at the little thing in her hands.
"Yes," she looked back up at Barenziah. She reached out a finger to
scratch a tiny eyeridge and her eyes misted. She could never have
taken a life, not even one this small. She still expected Crolarin to
come in the door at any moment. "Is the door locked," she asked
quietly.

"Yes, ma'am," she patted the key in her pocket, "I am going to leave
Chiffon with you and slip out to get everything taken care of. All
right? I will lock the door behind me. It won't take but a moment, and
should you need me, you can ask Chiffon to come and find me."

Benani held the little flit and talked to her in a singsong voice like
she would to the children. Going to her small desk, she pulled out a
tiny drawer where she always kept treats for visiting firelizards. She
find a tiny piece and offered it to the beautiful little thing. "Here
you are sweet thing." She couldn't help but glance at the door each
time she heard footsteps or heard voices.

Barenziah returned soon, "All right, milady, your bath is ready."
Chiffon gobbled down the treat, cheeped a thanks to Benani, and then
flew toward Barenziah.

Benani moved toward the tub and simply dropped her clothing without
regard for modesty. Stepping into the hot water she submurged herself
in the warmth. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

"Would you like me to wash your back or your hair, ma'am?" Barenziah
inquired while Chiffon perched on the rim of the tub, tilting her head
curiously as she looked down into the frothy water.

"Yes please," she bent forward which of course exposed the still
healing scars of her treatment at the hands of the harper. At least
now she could handle more than just her sister to be in the room with
her and the mind healer had said she was making progress. So, Yanley
had been able to return to the Weyr and this woman had taken over her
care. With limited contact she was able to at least maintain some
semblance of equilibrium. "Do you think I could see the boys today?"

Barenziah's eyes swept over the scars on her Lady's back, and her jaw
stiffened for a moment. All of her training with her brother had
taught her how to defend herself, but she was still only learning.
However, she vowed that should anyone else come for her Lady they
would at least have to go through her first. She began gently running
a sponge over Benani's back, "I think they would be fine. Would you
like them to come here or...?" Barenziah asked.

"Oh, I don't want to go out there," she said quickly. "Can they come
here please?" Benani still asked permission and said please for
everything she wanted just as she had been trained.

"Of course milady," she winked at Benani. "That is the best part of
being Lady Holder, people will basically do what you tell them."

Benani smiled at the little gold on the edge of her tub. "Can you wash
my hair please? Then we can invite them in."

Last updated on the July 14th 2014

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The Lady's Scars