Do You Know Her?
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Mirren, Paula
Date Posted: 11th March 2016
Characters: Drumilla, L'airev
Description: L'airev overhears something interesting.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 4, day 10 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Shanel, Solieira
Drumilla was standing in the food line and was talking with a fellow healer. Storm perched on her shoulder. "The pregnant one? She's one of those women that gets smuggled in the Weyr now and then. Based on the faded bruises, she's escaped abusive husband. Poor Shanel," she said with a genuine empathy for the young woman's blight.
L'airev wasn't really listening, gossip not really being his thing. His mind was on the serving table and what food was on offer. That being the case, it took a moment for the name to register. He turned toward her abruptly.
"What did you say?"
"Whuh?" Drumilla's response wasn't from the wittiest end but she was caught by surprise. Storm squalled from her shoulder.
L'airev stepped back a bit, aware he'd startled her. "I'm sorry, did you say you had a patient named Shanel?"
Drumilla considered before answering, her duty was to protect the patients. "I might have," she said cautiously, looking him up and down. He was dragonrider, though, so it was very unlike he was the person she had been running from.
He raised an eyebrow at the look she gave him. "I have a sister named Shanel. If she's here I'd like to know."
"She didn't mention having dragonrider-relatives," Drumilla said. Although she hadn't specially asked it. "And yes, I did a check up for a young woman with that name."
L'airev nodded briefly. "Can we sit and you can tell me the rest." He filled his plate, grabbed cutlery and gestured toward the tables. He was anxious, that much was obvious.
"Sure, just let me get some food first," Drumilla replied. It didn't take her long and then she followed him to a table. She gave Storm his share of the meat after they had taken a seat.
L'airev was doing the same with Whisper, but his attention was on the healer. "Did I hear you say that she was pregnant?" he asked.
"Yes, she is," Drumilla replied.
"And bares bruises?" He only half-wanted a reply to that.
"They've faded by now," Drumilla replied with seriousness. "She's safe now."
"Safe from…?" he prompted. Someone who might well meet with a nasty accident some time soon.
"Husband, probably," Drumilla said. "She doesn't trust me enough yet to tell, so I'm reduced to guesswork and common reasoning here," she warned him.
L'airev nodded. "I understand. You said she didn't mention relatives? Did she give any indication as to why? Something to hide?" He hardly knew his sister, but he remembered her as being proud and resilient.
"I just asked her parents names and she gave those and no further details. Parents are something we need for the infirmary records, there aren't usually any need to know about the siblings. So the subject didn't come up," the young healer explained.
"And the names she gave -" L'airev told her the names of his parents. Assuming they were the same then it was his sister. If not then there was a stranger who had been badly treated. That wasn't all right either.
"Yes, those were they," Drumilla affirmed with a nod.
L'airev cursed under his breath. "I should have kept track of her. How did she even get here?"
"By ship, according to my brother," Drumilla replied. "There's whole undercover network out there, for smuggling women to safety of the Weyr," she continued.
He stared at her in surprise for a moment. How many people knew about that? Not him anyway. "In that case, I'm in their debt. If you have any connection to them, let them know if they need my help, they have it." How many other women lived here who had been smuggled?
"I only know my brother is into it. I can let him know you're interested in helping," Drumilla replied.
"Whatever he needs," L'airev replied. "He has only to ask." And if it got him into trouble with the leadership, so be it, it'd be worth it.
"He might stop by to chat with you," Drumilla said.
"Any time," he assured her. "Now, where can I find my sister?" Hopefully she'd want to see him.
"Somewhere lower caverns, ask the Headwoman's staff," Drumilla replied.
L'airev nodded. "Thank you. I owe you as well."
"I'm just doing my job," Drumilla said.
"It's more than that." Maybe he'd find a way to repay her someday.
Last updated on the March 13th 2016