The Infirmary

He was met by Scholar Ellyn Tully, a pretty brunette dedicated to her duty and her continued studies. Ellyn hovered by Violet's bed, heedless of the bloodstains on her sleeve. Behind her, Violet was a girl of twelve or thirteen, small and slight, with messy fair hair spilled across her pillow. She looked to be in some pain, but she was awake, her eyes wide as she looked up from the bed. Chancellor Bell recognises Violet as a resourceful girl, not very good at reading and writing but with a head for figures and a natural dexterity born from years on the streets when she had to thieve to get by.

Ellyn's expression was grim as she looked at the Chancellor. "He tried to force themselves on her," she said bluntly. "You know how it is, Chancellor. Some of the highborn lads think common girls are fair game, especially orphans. She fought, but she could not fend off a castle trained boy almost a man grown. Her friends saved her maidenhead, but he'd beaten her pretty badly before they came. The street children are loyal to each other, mostly."

Violet coughed and said "We was playin' dice. 'e said I cheated 'im, an' I 'ad to pay. I never cheated. Not since Scholar Ellyn telled me thievin' an' cheatin' ain't nice."

"Yes. I have few dealings with highborn boys outside the Academy, unless I am called upon to provide assistance to the injured," Ellyn said. "But I have noticed a few of the boys lately have become bolder with the lowborn girls. It is the sort of thing that always happens, I suppose, when lads have been raised to expect submission from those of lesser rank. I myself was rarely made the butt of such interests when I were a Scholar, but it would take a fool to offer insult to a Tully of Riverrn."

She looked up at him, her eyes blue and worried. "Violet has named her attacker to me. I was beginning to worry about him, it must be said. His interest in the female scholars has not gone unnoticed. I am sure you are aware of Jonas Cargyll."

Bell does indeed recall the Cargyll boy. The younger son of a younger son, Jonas had been dispatched to the Academy some years ago and had proven himself an apt pupil, charming and clever, with an ambitious streak. He had been considered one of the most promising students by several of the Scholars.

Ellyn bowed her head in acknowledgement and whispered a few words to the girl before departing. Violet fidgeted as Ellyn left.

"Is it my fault?" She asked the Chancellor. "One time, when I were on t'streets I 'eard some woman say it were some girl's own fault when some man forced her."

"I'm not stupid," she said. "I were playin' dice is all. All t'street gangs 'ad leaders, that's how 'tis. Me mam had a gang of 'er own, 'til she died. I watched 'er and I knowed some of t'other children afore I come 'ere."

She lifted her hand, thought better of it, let it rest.

"What if 'e does it again? Cargyll, I mean."