The same voice moaned again. Silu realized it was coming from the woman at her feet. She realized what she had done�.She was on her knees before she thought to be.
�What have I done?� Her voice was barely audible. �What have I done?!� She wail escaped her throat. She was shaking all over, energy still pulsing through her veins.
Calm down. You have to think. Stop feeling so much. THINK!
A calming wave of warmth ran over her body as she mentally shook herself.
�Its Henia.� The Shyra was cradling the crying woman in her arms. �She used a dirty move to try and trick you into running me through so she could catch you in the back.� The Shyra�s voice showed no anger at the threat to herself. But by her tone Silu could tell that striking someone in the back was a grave offense in this deadly game. �Can I help? What can I do?� she couldn�t stand the thought of someone dieing because of her. Absently she wondered how many she had mortally wounded that lay in the water behind.
The Shyra looked up at her for the first time, astonishment on her face. �You would help one who tried to dishonor you like that?�
Silu gave her a puzzled look.
She looked as though she had suddenly regained her senses because she dropped the one called Henia and stood. She took Silu�s hand and brought her to her feet.
The woman was slightly taller than she. She had soft-looking auburn air that fell just past her shoulders. �My name is Wan-ri.� She threw her cloak off revealing a pair of tight buckskin pants and shirt. Her boots came up to her knees and were of the same color. She had a gentle face. Her smile was the kind that made you think she was taking you into her confidence.
Silu felt more naked then she had all night and moved to cover herself.
�Don�t worry child.� She glanced down at Henia. �She got was she had coming. It was amazing how you anticipated her strategy. You saved my life at best.� She offered her hand in thanks and after Silu had finished shaking it Wan-ri gave it a slight tug. �Turn around for me.�
Reluctantly Silu complied. After a moment or so she felt Wan-re�s grip loosen and leave her hand. �What are you looking for?� Silu turned as she asked.
�Where is your wound?� Wan-ri�s supple voice shook with fear.
Sianosilu had just about had enough. She had never really had a temper problem but she was finding that she was developing one. She had just spent three days sitting on a hospital bed being checked over and over and over again. All of the Tan U Tae elders had been in to see her. Making her flip over and turn around and do just about everything you could imagine accept stand on her head. She was expecting someone to come in any moment and ask that of her to.
She could feel her face reddening. The whole time she had been kept completely naked.
�Stand up child.� The hunched over nurse, Elda-Jo, was bustling around the small, white room opening and closing drawers looking for something.
Silu hesitated. Hopefully this was not another inspection. She had been violated in the past three days enough times to last her entire life. �Stand up, stand up!�
This time she complied.
�Are you going to tell me what this is all about?� Silu had been asking this question not stop. She had begged every woman who had crossed the threshold of the hospital room�s door what was going on. No one had even acknowledged that she had been speaking.
Well Wan-ri had at least reassured her that she was in no trouble. The Flesh colored Bala-Shyra had hinted towards something unusual happening during the test. Silu remembered the look of astonishment on Wan-ri�s face when she had finished checking her over three knights ago. Something had most definitely gone very wrong.
Elda-Jo swept past her, brushing her skirts against Silu�s bare legs and opened another drawer. She returned to Silu�s side with a very large needle.
�Well child,� Silu found herself resenting Elda-Jo�s use of the term �child�. All the other Shyra had used it as well. Four days ago it would have been acceptable, but now she had survived the test. She was on of them. "We have checked you over the best we can. You�re in perfect health. Not a bruise on you anywhere.� She sounded disappointed. �The Bala-Shyra and the elder women had decided to let you go.� Elda-Jo pinched an area of skin on Silu�s arm until it formed into a lump of flesh between her fingers. With expert ease she slid the needle into Silu�s arm. �They want you to return to your old bunk and gather your things. One of your instructors will show you to your knew quarters.� The needle was pulled out as quickly as it went in and Elda-Jo gave the arm a quick slap of approval.
Silu waited for more instructions but Elda-Jo appeared to have finished. She was waddling around again battling with her drawers. So she dressed in the simple white flannel clothes that the nurse had set next to her on her bed and headed out the door.
Her progress was immediately halted when she ran right into a tall, scarlet haired Shyra. She heard the snap of her skull hitting a hard surface and winced in pain.
�Silu!� The voice whining in pain was accusing and apologetic at the same time. Silu opened her eyes and saw the familiar Shyra holding her forehead and cringing.
�Sorry Mallia.�
The older woman nodded her agreement.
She couldn�t have been more relieved to find her guardian standing they fawning over the minor wound. �Just what I needed. Mallia I just got out from under the spotlight back there.� She looked over her shoulder with loathing.
The both held their heads for a moment longer, babying themselves a little more than was necessary considering they were trained warriors. Then, smiling and stifling giggles they hooked arms and headed down the long white hall.
Mallia walked beside her in silence. This didn�t surprise Silu much. Mallia was usually very quite. The two shared a bond deeper than blood; they were both orphaned. But she was not as fortunate as Mallia. Mallia had known her mother for six years before she was taken from her. Any normal Shyra would have looked down on Silu as a burden. But Mallia embraced Silu as her own glad she had the chance to help. She must have a seen a bit of herself in the quiet little dark haired baby eighteen years ago.
�Have you heard anything?�
�About?� She knew what Silu was referring to, but she insisted on always making Silu explain herself completely every time she inquired about anything. Silu had been resisting that lesson her entire life. It was a hopeless attempt to get Mallia to cut her some slack.
