Tall Tales

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 3rd December 2020

Characters: Garion, Oufelle
Description: Oufelle wakes up to Garion at Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 5, day 11 of Turn 10
Notes: Happens the day after SSH: "The Truth About the Runaway"
Mentioned: Bryvin, Asaile (not by name)

Garion

She woke slowly and groaned, uncertain to her surroundings, but knew
she was no longer at Sunstone Sea Hold. The scent of the air was sharp
and almost too clean and the bed she lay on wasn't the sumptuous
mattress that she'd been accustomed to. Oufelle barely remembered
going /between/, her mind had simply stopped working after not one,
but two guards had ravaged her in the privacy of that secret
staircase. Her bottom half felt sore, battered and ill-used.

Remembering, she gave a sudden shuddering sob. How could he? How could
he allow them to do that? She was of the Blood! Why didn't her plan
work? He was supposed to have been so horrified, so aghast that he
should have immediately agreed to their union! Instead... She touched
her sore cheek, which felt puffy and swollen. He had bedded her,
struck her and discarded her to the attentions of animals. And she
could say nothing.

Garion bent over the young woman. "You're at Barrier Lake Weyr miss,"
he said. "Can you tell me what happened to you?" The rider that had
brought her in had given him one story and he knew where L'rak had
been that day so he wanted to see what she remembered.

Oufelle's eyes turned to see the new man and tears welled in her eyes.
She was at the Weyr. She was really at the Weyr. She could never go
home; her father would never allow her home. She opened her mouth,
prepared to tell the Healer everything, what the Lord Holder had done,
how he had treated her. But then she remembered the threat and had to
think quickly. Her lip trembled. "I'm Oufelle. I'm a Lady and I was at
Sunstone Sea Hold." Tears began to trickle down the sides of her face
onto the pillow. "Another Lady was jealous of Lord Bryvin's attentions
to me and she told me that he wanted to see me." The lie came quicker,
"I went where I was told to go and there were two men there." Her
voice cracked in real anguish. "They ravaged me. I didn't see who they
were, but they ruined me. I couldn't stay and.." She began to give
hiccuping sobs, "my father will never forgive my loss of virtue. The
rider found me and I asked him to bring me. I had no where else to
go!"

The Master Healer reached out but didn't touch her. "I'm so sorry," he
said. "You're safe here," he added. **as long as you stick to that
story.** "I did examine you before you woke and here is some damage
I'd like to repair it. But first you'll need to rest." He looked
concerned and sympathetic as he moved slightly closer. "If you wish we
can ask for a female healer if that would make you more comfortable. I
can contact your family or Lord Bryvin if you wish."

Tears still leaking down her face and giving hiccuping little sobs,
she began shaking get head wildly at the mention of Lord Bryvin's
name. Her father maybe if she told her father that story he would
decide to demand Bryvin to pay recompense... but no, her father was
nowhere near as wealthy or strong. So, more tears began to flow as
the reality of her situation sank in. She had no one. Nothing. No
marriage, no wealth, even her maid was gone! Oufelle's face
scrunched up as she gave a piteous cry. "I don't know what to do!
It's all the other girl's fault! I don't have anything anymore!" The
cry turned to a self-pitying wail.

Garion's expression of concern didn't change but he pressed his lips
together for a moment. "I'll get the Headwoman for you," he said.
"Perhaps she can help you figure out what you want to do."

Through her tears, Oufelle nodded, then grimaced at a sudden cramp; as
she moved, she felt a burning in her nether regions.. Her hands cupped
her abdomen and she felt a surge of nausea at the remembered pain of
her humiliation at the hands of the guards. "It hurts. They wouldn't
stop. They laughed." Her face turned a sickly shade. "I feel sick. I
feel really sick." Then she abruptly rolled to her side and wretched.

"Nurse," Garion called and one of the journeyman healers came running
into the room. Garion looked at the mess on the floor and she began to
clean it up. He reached for a bowl and handed it to her. "Here, use
this if you feel sick again. I think I need to clean you up now and
tend to your injuries. we'll get the Headwoman later." He didn't know
who 'they' were but he had a fairly good idea so, as he washed his
hands he asked. "How many were there?"

Taking the bow, Oufelle rolled back, swallowing hard and feeling
absolutely wretched and hopeless. She sniffled and wiped at her eyes
again. "Two." She wanted to include Bryvin, but didn't dare. Big eyes
turned to Garion, seeking more sympathy from the Healer. "They hurt
me. Please, make it stop hurting."

"I will," he said and patted her shoulder. "Do you want to make sure
there is no babe from this," he asked seriously. "I have herbs that
will take care of it if you wish."

For a moment, the thought of presenting a bastard child to Asaile and
Bryvin one day brought her a flash of petty vengeance. But the thought
that she could possibly be bearing one of those awful guard's children
made her shudder. And unwed, it was unfathomable. She'd heard of such
herbs and had secretly taken a tea of them once before. Slowly, Oufelle
nodded. "Please. I couldn't bear a child from this. Just...don't say
anything? Please?"

"Of course not," he didn't remind her they were at the Weyr and no one
here would really care. He knew her identity from the note L'rak had
handed over before he'd gone in to see her. "I'll get that tea started
for you and then fellis." He took a deep breath. He was relieved he
had moved her to get rid of the issue rather than having to get rid of
her completely. He left for a moment and returned a bit later with a
warm cup of abortifacient tea laced with a little fellis, only enough
to ease her pain. "Drink that up and I'll examine you."

Oufelle willingly drank the tea, gulping it down quickly before laying
back. "Thank you." She reached out to touch her hand, large eyes
purposefully wide with a feigned attempt at damaged innocence. Before
long, however, her eyelids began to grow heavy and she blinked slowly.
Her vision grew hazy and she looked up at him with groggy uncertainty,
brow knitting. "He bedded me hard...I liked it...I..." She shook her
head..."I was to be his wif..." Her eyes drooped and shut as her body
relaxed in a drugged stupor.

**Yeah well, that wasn't going to happen,** he shook his head but kept
his face neutral as he called for a couple senior apprentices to help
him with the repairs. They weren't extensive, some vaginal tearing.
Being forced by multiple men would do that. At least she didn't face
that here, but he would suggest a mind healer. Once the repairs were
done they moved her to a private room and made her comfortable. Until
she woke the senior apprentices would monitor her and then call him
when she regained consciousness.

He thought about her mumbles as she went under, that stuff couldn't
come out. Although he usually discouraged women who tried to gain his
attention with fake displays, he'd read what she'd tried on his Lord.
Maybe he'd allow himself to be encouraged to take her in and listen.
Because if she broke and told him. Then she'd tell someone else later
like her family. That would mean arrangements would have to be made.

Last updated on the December 14th 2020

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