Almost Safe

Writers: Mirren, Paula
Date Posted: 16th February 2016

Characters: Tamah, Shanel
Description: A new arrival is welcomed at the Weyr
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 4, day 7 of Turn 8

Shanel had never been seasick, but she was looking forward to getting off the ship. She'd never complain about simple food or cramped quarters, because at least she was safe. Still, solid land felt good under her feet. Instinctively she drew her scarf over the side of her face before anyone could see her.

The cabin boy led her to the Harbour master's office and knocked the door, with certain rhythm: two knocks, pause, three knocks, pause, and two more knocks. Tamah opened the door. "Do come in," he invited, keeping it open for her. He looked at the boy. "Tell your father thank you for risking his neck for us again," he told him.

"Sure, I'll tell. I'm sure he'll want compensation later," the cabin boy said with a rather leery grin.

"Don't get cheeky, lad," Tamah said and sent the boy away.

Shanel averted her face and flushed. She'd heard the Weyrs were more forthcoming about intimacy, but she hadn't expected to be exposed to it so soon.

"Take a seat, please," Tamah replied and closed the door after the boy had scurried away.

She did as she was told, sitting with her hand resting on her belly. What the little one thought of this was anyone's guess. She had no idea what to expect, she hadn't even thought what'd happen if she got here.

"Do you want something, klah, water, juice, something to eat or use the loo?" Tamah asked. He had fathered enough children to notice when a woman was pregnant.

"I'm fine, thank you." She lowered her eyes. She knew she had to stick up for herself and her child, but being trusting and comfortable didn't come easily these days.

"Good. I'm Tamah, the Harbour master by the way. Are you going to stay in the Weyr permanently or is there some other place where you could go and where you would be safe?" Tamah asked. He didn't need any secrecy or hide his identity.

"I'm Shanel." She couldn't imagine being safer anywhere but in a Weyr. "I'd like to stay here. I'm a hard worker and I can cook and clean." She'd scrub latrines if necessary. Maybe she could find a harper to annul her marriage, but she'd worry about that later.

"The headwoman can always use more workers," Tamah smiled encouragingly. "Have you been seeing a healer or midwife about your pregnancy?" he asked then.

"I have," she replied slowly, "but not for a while." She didn't explain that her husband hadn't even liked her seeing a healer, but it was written on her face. The fewer people she saw, the less chance she'd have talked. He hadn't stopped her from getting help though, for all that he'd tried.

"Right. This is what is going to happen next: I'll take you to the Headwoman and she will enroll you in the staff, find you place to stay, and work to do. I recommend you schedule an appointment with the infirmary next. We have very good midwives here. If you need recommendations, well, my little sister is a healer, and she's delivered two babies by now," Tamah told her.

Her head was about ready to spin. She'd just arrived and everything was all but organized. In the back of her mind she'd considered being turned away, or sent back. Being welcomed like this brought tears to her eyes. "Thank you so much," she said softly.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Do you want to sit a moment before we continue?" Tamah said. He had seen reactions like hers (and worse) before.

"No." She replied quickly. She was determined to be strong, otherwise he would win. Her baby needed her, she had to focus on that, get settled and make a life here. "Thank you, I'll be fine."

"Whatever you say," Tamah replied. "The Weyr is quite different place than Hold. More free, more laid back. But there are still rules and there are things that aren't allowed in Weyr: like abuse or forcing someone into something."

"Even amongst husbands and wives?" she asked tentatively.

"Even between husbands and wives, or weyrmates as we say here," Tamah confirmed.

Shanel nodded, satisfied. She wanted her child to have a good future. She rose to her feet to follow him out the door.

Last updated on the February 20th 2016

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Almost Safe