a brief history of Becca ...

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Becca N'ha Kyntha story starts as she and the merchant caravan she was leading was ambushed by bandits. In the pursuing fight, Ferrika, her lover for the past five years is killed. The bandits suffer minor injuries and flee without any plunder. After the caravan reaches Thendara, Becca goes to a local tavern on a drinking spree to dull the pain of her loss. She finds herself walking up in a deserted alley in a drunken stupor by a womans' screams for help. The adrenaline rush sobers her up and she rushes to the aid of the two women who are being assaulted. Almost everyone in the fight sustains injuries and one of the thugs is killed. After the fight Becca learns that the two women are terrans.

Kiara O'Hara had been fleeing Terra from her abusive fiance. Lyssa Carpenter had runaway from her foster family and had ended up on Darkover at the wrong time and the wrong place. Becca is not at all pleased about the women's' identity. She dislikes and distrusts ALL terrans even though she is willing to take their money as a trail guide. However, since they are women and knowing a safe place is needed to treat their injuries she takes them to a friends house.

As the three women talk, Becca learns why they are on Darkover and why Kiara was attacked. Becca tells them a little about herself and the renunciates. A very uneasy mood permeates their talks. Besides disliking terranans, Becca thinks Kiara was a fool for getting herself into a relationship with Brian in the first place. The women are intrigued by the purpose of the renunciates and express a possible interest in joining which Becca immediately shoots down saying the oath is more then a way to get out of a bad situation and that the terranans know nothing about Darkover or its way of life. Despite her discomfort with the terrans she slowly begins to gain respect for their courage and determination to control their own lives.

The following afternoon learning that Brian will stop at nothing to get revenge on Kiara and anyone who has helped her escape, Becca decides that it is not fair to be putting her friend in danger for sheltering them. She goes to the guildhouse and talks to Guildmother Lucrietta about the possibility of the terrans being given sanctuary even though she is still uneasy about terranans in general. Becca agrees to return the following day with Kiara and Lyssa and address the question to the elders.

Becca returns to her friends' house and tells the women about the guildmothers' decision. In order to pass the time Becca tries to teach them some basic cahuenga and a brief history of the guild. As they are waiting Kiara who is only a few months pregnant has a miscarriage. Although the Guilds' midwife is sent for there is nothing she can do to save the child who was injured in the fight with Brian and his thugs. The midwife returns to the guildhouse and informs Lucrettia that the meeting will have to wait until Kiara is stronger. Several days later when the meeting does occur there is some rather heated discussion about whether sanctuary should be granted but ultimately it is. The guildmother rules that even if Kiara and Lyssa are terrans they are women first and entitled to shelter.

While at the Guildhouse Becca talks to K'Tara and Sorcha who are from Dalereuth guildhouse but are currently staying at the Castle as guests of Fianna Storn. K'Tara explains that they will be entering into a business with Fianna and plan to move to Storn Village and open a shelter house there. Becca is asked and agrees to make arraignments for their personal possessions and Sorcha's sheep to be delivered to the village once she returns to Dalereuth Guildhouse.

Meanwhile Brian has found out that it was a renunciate who helped Kiara escape him and that they have taken refuge in the guildhouse. Brian and his thugs began to plan their assault on the guildhouse. Also during this time Bridie O'Hara, Kiara's aunt who is on Darkover on business learns that her niece is on the planet and is being stalked. With the help of her Terran and Darkover contacts she makes a plan to rescue Kiara.

Back at the guildhouse the renunciates are planning for an attack. Arms mistress Gwennis agrees to let Becca help plan the houses defense. During the wait, Becca and Gwennis have a sparing match that physically and mentally challenges both women to their limits and brings up past issues for them both. Before the fight ends Becca losses control and fights like a beserker. What had begun as a sparring match turns into a fight for life and death for several tense moments. It ends up being a draw and Becca earns Gwennis respect for her fighting potential (once properly controlled). Unfortunately for Becca she received several broken ribs and the house healer/midwife forbids her to fight in the upcoming confrontation. She is told to take the two terrans to a secure room when the attack begins and that she will be the last line of resistance against Brian should he get that far. Becca reluctantly agrees to do as she is ordered.

Brian's thugs continue to watch the house while Bridie has made arraignments with her local and spaceport contacts that she would get Kiara to the edge of the Old Town and the Terran security officers will take over after that and escort Kiara to the federation headquarters. Bridie contacts the guildhouse and arraignments are made for two additional renunciate fighters to accompany the group. Several blocks away from the Terran zone the women are attacked and after a short but brutal fight Brian and several others are killed. His surviving thugs are turned over to the authorities. Most of the women in the rescue party are injured and are taken to the Terran medical center for treatment.

Kiara was the most severely injured but after several days of treatment she is allowed to leave the hospital. Kiara and Lyssa decide they want to remain on Darkover and to join the renunciates. During the past few days since she has gotten to know Kiara, Lyssa and Bridie Becca has reevaluated some of her believes about terrans. She has changed a lot but her old beliefs will occasional resurface. Bridie makes arraignments with the Terran authorities for Kiara to have guardianship of Lyssa who by Terran law is still a minor . Plans are made for them to travel to Dalereuth and to take the oath at Becca's guildhouse. They are welcomed at Dalereuth Guildhouse, are given a preliminary oath and begin their oathbound period.

Will fall approaching Becca knows her guiding work is done until spring and wants to become more active in the guildhouse as well as help Kiara and Lyssa through their housebound time. As a result of her sparring match she wants to help with training other women in basic self defense and asks and receives permission from guildmother Jaelle to assist Sybill the arms mistress. Unfortunately she and Sybill have an argument over some potentially non compact weapons and Sybill reluctantly accepts her help. During the first fighting practice that she helps at Lyssa is accidentally struck over the head with a practice sword by Marlis and is knocked unconscious. The injuries are not serious and she quickly recovers. Later that evening a house meeting is planned and Jaelle announces that she, Sybill, Amalie and Liane will be leaving in the morning to rescue Liss, a new renunciate who had earlier that day been kidnapped by her father. Shortly after that Glenna n'h Lianne arrives at the guildhouse.