Safe at Last

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 18th November 2014

Characters: Rethisa, Zathris, Fahra
Description: Rethisa finally arrives at Amber Hills where her big brother sees to her well-being.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 7

Zathris

Rethisa's teeth were still chattering together as she huddled on a
chair in front of the fireplace. The attendant who had spotted her had
ushered her into the room and assured her that he would get the Lord
Holder. She fidgeted with the belt of her cloak that she had pulled
tightly around her. The hood was still drawn, and shocking, platinum
hair was hiding much of her face as she kept her head bowed.

The door opened and Zathris crossed the threshold. He peered at his
sister, then turned back to the attendant. "Klah and tea if you
will." That so ordered, he closed the door before he crossed the room
to kneel beside his sister, his hand capturing the one that teased the
edge of her cloak. "Shhh, Rethisa. What's wrong? What's troubled
you so?" It had to be serious for her to be so far from home.

The woman tilted her head back, letting the hood fall to her shoulders
as she tucked her hair behind her ear. When her hair was pushed back
it revealed an ugly black and blue bruise across her cheek and her
swollen, busted bottom lip.

"Can I stay here?" She turned her eyes up to her brother. Tears
glistened in her eyes. Her journey had been so long and difficult and
to be finally safe and sound in her brother's company was overwhelming
to her already sensitive emotions.

Zathris started at the sight of her. "Of course." He reached up with
his free hand to gingerly run his thumb along the untouched sized of
her face. "Did your husband do this to you?"

Rethisa's tears slid down her cheeks, "He is not my husband any more.
He shamed me in front of the entire cothold. Then he disowned me and
kicked me out." She still couldn't talk about Pevran and Shadow in the Wind.

"What? Why?" Zathris released her to stand and tug an ottomon over
so he could perch upon it beside her. "What exactly happened? Why
would he do such a thing?"

Her shoulders shook with another sob, "I don't want to tell you. You
will be disappointed in me." What she had done was shame her entire
family which was why she would not be allowed back home. Zathris, or
maybe Z'lred, were the only ones she could turn to.

"Rethisa, I don't care what it is. You can tell me. I'll certainly
not do anything close to this to you." The last words were spat out
in disgust at the man who had once called her his wife.

"Well you know that Verlow has always had a heavy hand..." She touched
a finger to her swollen lip, "But it has gotten much worse by my
inability to conceive." Her voice choked up a bit, "There was this
beastcrafter there... He was just so nice to me. Verlow was never
nice. Anyway, Pelran and I... We... Tried to run away," she gestured
with her hand. "Verlow found us."

"No, I didn't know." Zathris grit his teeth together, and then ran a
hand through his hair. He couldn't condemn her for that and he tried
to fight back the guilt that threatened. "It's okay, Rethi, I
understand. And yes, you can stay here. As long as you want."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." She had no skills other than that of a
wife. Being married at sixteen she had done nothing else for the past
eight Turns. She had heard about her brother's wife and she hated to
cause him more trouble.

The klah and tea arrived along with some light fare and Zathris
thanked the drudge who brought them then spoke in soft tones before
returning to Rethisa. "Here, eat and drink you'll feel better. I've
asked for a room to be readied for you."

Rethisa's took a cup of the tea, the china tinkling as her fingers
trembled. When the liquid reached her lips she sighed in relief. She
was safe now. Zathris would protect her at Amber Hills. What if Verlow
changed his mind and came for her? What would she do then?

Once the woman's room was ready, Fahra slipped back inside the
room, and nodded to Zathris, "The room is ready."

"Are you all right, Rethisa? Do you want me to get someone to stay
with you tonight?" Although she had relaxed someone, the fear was
still palpable in her face and form. She wasn't going to get any rest
in that sort of condition.

"I will be fine once I am in my room." She assured her brother, "If
Verlow came here... You wouldn't let him in would you?"

"If Verlow came here, sister dear, I would threaten to tie him and
leave him out for Thread if he didn't get off my lands immediately."
There was no way Zathris would ever let that man near his sister
again. He would make sure of it.

Another relieved sigh escaped Rethisa's lips, and the grueling journey
she'd gone through to get to Amber Hills finally caught up with her,
"I think I am ready to see that room now."

"I'll take you there, ma'am." Fahra said with a polite curtsy.

Rethisa stood, and looked to her brother, "Thank you Zathris." She
touched his shoulder lightly before following the redheaded attendant
from the room. The room that had been readied wasn't very far down the
corridor, which made Rethisa feel safer, knowing that she was closer
to Zathris.

"Here you are milady." Fahra pushed open the door to reveal a neat
and tidy room that had a fire blazing.

"Thank you very much," there had not been much room for ceremony or
servants at the cothold. Rethisa had gotten use to have to do
everything herself. She folded her work-calloused hands together, "I
don't believe I caught your name?"

"Fahra, ma'am. If you need anything I am just down the hall there."

Rethisa nodded, "Good night." She stepped into her room and shut the
door, her hand automatically reaching for the lock and slamming it
closed.

Last updated on the November 28th 2014

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Safe at Last