Whoops

Writers: Leigh M-F., Paula
Date Posted: 8th April 2016

Characters: Zelanka, Nohria
Description: Nohria slips up. Zelanka notices.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 11 of Turn 8

If anyone had been around, they would have been confused by the sight of a drudge trying very hard not to smile in front of the door to Zelanka's office. If someone had to go to the Headwoman, they usually weren't smiling. But Nohria soon schooled her face into an expression of concern, and knocked.

"Yes? Do come in," Zelanka replied. There was worried frown on her forehead while she studied the numbers. Lately, she had been wearing that frown way too many times. "Ah, Nohria, what is it?" she asked when she saw who stepped inside.

"I'm afraid I have bad news, Headwoman," Nohria said. "Three of the women I commonly work with are missing: Junya, Alai, and Sleidar." Because she had convinced them the bandits would give them freedom they couldn't find in the Hold. She had overheard them finalizing their plans two nights ago. Now they had taken off. Nohria couldn't be prouder. Of course she had to pretend this was a worrisome thing in order to keep her cover, but she was still quite pleased.

"Oh, no," Zelanka sighed and covered her eyes for a brief moment. "What happened?" she was was worried about their safety. Life outside Hold's wall was dangerous.

Nohria shrugged. "I heard Junya say something about having freedom for once in her life, and Sleidar wanted a chance to choose her own lover without fear of repercussion." Both women had come from somewhat poorer families; their frustrations related to such were why Nohira had recruited them. Alai had wanted a chance to work with runnerbeasts and be recognized for her efforts. "But it- it just sounded like they were just venting steam, so I didn't think anything of it."

"That's just stupid!" Zelanka bursted out. "Leaving Hold like that. There's no freedom out there, unless you go to the Weyr. There's only misery and poverty. The winter is coming, they'll freeze. Or worse, they get raped and abused," Zelanka said gloomily. "Especially Alai, I thought she was smarter than that. Junya always was a silly romantic, I can well picture _her_ running off on a whim."

Nohria had to bite her tongue to keep from defending the bandits. She had never once been abused by them. Sure, sometimes she had been cold, or missed some meals, but each bandit knew their worth, and they had worked together to create families and a group that was supportive. Of course they had gone on raids, been forced to kill, make examples of people, but that had not been out of true malice; it had been business. "I guess they were too dissatisfied to think straight," she said in a neutral tone.

"I'm going to report this to Karhal, so guards can keep their eyes open for them," Zelanka said. She was also going to tell her husband, Petriv was master herder and he and his staff moved around the Hold a lot. If someone was likely to spot the runnaways, it would be them.

"With luck, they'll soon be found," Nohria lied. "We can't have lawless men putting ideas in their heads."

"I certainly hope so, before something bad happens to them," Zelanka replied. "You don't have any silly notions like that, do you?"

"No, but I can see their allure. A chance to craft and better odds of finding a husband who wouldn't expect us to be nothing but a broodmare for the rest of our lives could tempt even the most devoted of Hold women," Nohria said without thinking. Then, to cover, she added, "Sorry, I shouldn't be sarcastic at a time like this. I guess the worry is getting to me."

"Craft? Among holdless? Most of those men are criminals," Zelanka said, giving Nohria a sharp look.

"Yes, of course they are," Nohria agreed. "But I've never heard of a bandit telling his woman she can't pursue a dream or a skill. But then, I don't visit gaols, so I wouldn't know for sure."

"I can give you an example what kind of men they are: Rosid and Valar. They beat up a smaller boy and were convinced to a Turn of drudge-work. Instead of facing their punishment, they ran off to join the holdless. No doupt they are still there, robbing traders and raiding isolated Cotholds. They won't show any respect to womankind. Especially Rosid. To him, you would be just a hole where to stick his prick into," Zelanka said, showing some of her temper. She took deep breaths to calm herself.

**Funny you should mention them,** Nohria thought, biting the inside of her cheek to keep her mirth at bay. The splinter group of bandits had indeed met those two among the thieves and holdless at Amber Hills' border. When the two groups became one, Rosid had seen Nohria wearing snug trousers and had grabbed her from behind. A deep slash with one of her knives across his left inner wrist later, and he had gone from trying to get those trousers off to screaming over how much blood he was losing.

Nohria had stanched the flow of blood, stitched up the wound without numbweed and bandaged it. Rosid had been remarkably well behaved after that. For a bandit, that is. But it was also true not all of them were like him. Some were just unfortunate sorts. Others were like her. "Of course, Headwoman; forgive me for speaking out of turn. The worry truly is getting to me," was all she said. "I would appreciate a distraction. Where am I to work today?"

"The Serhox Wing. Take Bethra with you to clean the rooms, " Zelanka replied and smiled, althoug the smile didn't reach her hazed eyes. They had a wary look in them. Something in Nohria had set up all kind of alarms. She would suggest the Captain to keep an eye on her.

"Yes, Headwoman." And while she cleaned, she would have to seriously ponder the pros and cons of remaining in the Hold as an inside woman. Her secrets were beginning to pose a problem.

Last updated on the April 15th 2016

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