CHAPTER SIX
We had been traveling a good five days. My thighs ached from straddling my horse, so did my back and palms. My skin felt clammy and itchy. We hadn't come across any ponds or rivers. I wondered how long we'd have to travel. Just the thought of travelling another day without bathing made me shudder in revulsion. I feared to raise my arms up. I had a feeling my armpits reeked of skunk and rotten eggs. The combination was enough to raise bile to my mouth.
Ranthel continued to torment Venerus with his food and Eron taught me how to fight. It wasn't just a way to fill in my days. I didn't want to feel vulnerable. We got close to one another with each passing day. I'd learned they liked bickering quite a lot and their most favorite thing to do was to aggravate Venerus who still remained stubbornly mysterious.
As our horses led us out of the Murin Forest we found a carriage on a dirt path. The horses that led the carriage were lying lazily on the earth. We heard agonised cries resonating from the carriage. My ears rang from the blood curdling screams.
I nudged my horse with the heel of my shoe and it sped to the motionless carriage. I jumped down then quickly made my way to the coach, pulling the door open. A pregnant woman lay heaving on the floor covered in sweat. Another woman murmured sweet encouraging words to her while wiping her sweat off with a cloth.
" What's wrong with her?" I asked. Her head whipped to the opened door her eyes winded in both fear and relief.
Ranthel and Eron helped carry the pregnant lady out of the coach. They carried the lady into the forest. It was when they laid the lady on the grass that I began to recognise her. The lady who had been with her kneeled beside her, her face contorted in worry and fear.
For the elmorans in the world we had to run into them. The elmorans of Azer. And worst of all they were not just commoners from Azer, they were of higher class. The pregnant lady was none other than Vixen. She was Chief Coyek's wife and the lady beside her was Messa, her caretaker.
Goodness, I wanted to hate them and do to them what they've done to my people. It took everything in me not to shout at them and attack them
" How far are you? " the urgency that laced my words couldn't be more frightening for the chief's wife.
She released an agonised cry that pierced into my soul. Her arms moved to her swollen belly. Tears of both joy and fear fell from her emerald eyes.
I fixed Messa with a fierce determined stare. The message was clear through my stare. We had to deliver the baby or the baby would die. Although the Elmorans of Azer had done a lot to my people I couldn't condemn an innocent to death based on the past.
I ordered the men to go away while Messa and I delivered the baby. It took hours before she gave birth and it had to be the most terrifying experience I've ever had the misfortune of witnessing but at the same time it was beautiful. The squeal of the baby boy as he took his first gulps of air. His cries tugged at my heartstrings. It was as though he was anguished by the loss of his mother's warmth. I carefully gave the baby to the caretaker who wrapped a thick cloak around his little body.
I began to heal Vixen who was dazed from giving birth. I released my power, feeling it caress her womanly parts, fixing the ripped folds of her lady part. And like a curse I felt all the pain. I bit my lip to prevent the cry that screamed to be freed from my lips. It was unlike any pain I've ever gone through. I felt violated.
When the pain dissipated I let go of her so fast, feeling horrified by the phantom pain still lingering in my nether parts. I felt like crying out at the awful experience I was subjected to. Even when Vixen smiled at me gratefully I couldn't even force a smile.
It was the joy that radiated off of her when she first held her baby that made me feel less violated. It had all been worth it.
" I really thank you , blessed child. I will never forget what you've done for me this day and I pray to the great Calima to bless you with happiness and prosperity," she murmured grateful, tears of happiness trailing down her face.
" Do you have a name for him?" I asked hoarsely. Staring longingly at the child. I wondered if I'd ever have my own child one day. I wanted to feel the pain and the bliss that came with birthing a child. Not phantom pains.
" I shall name him Kian. I would like for you to be his guardian," she said with a smile.
I couldn't help but smile and for real this time. No one has ever made me a guardian of their children before. It made my heart fill with warmth. Suddenly it didn't matter if I'd be a guardian of my supposed enemy l. All that mattered was the innocent child that slept in his mother's arms. I had to be there to guide him. He was now the most important elmoran in the world for me.
I felt like a mother already. I'd felt every pain that came with bringing him to this world. I couldn't be happier.
I crawled closer to them then rubbed gently at his covered body. " I'm Somanca, little one and I'm your guardian. " He yawned softly then continued to sleep oblivious to everything around him.
" Are you going to be alright on your own. I cannot stay. "
" We will be alright, dear. My husband should be here in a few hours. You go and continue your quest. I wish you a safe return." I nodded then bid them farewell. I briskly ran to where the men waited for me.
I found them waiting for me across the dirt path. All had horrified expressions on their faces. They were not too eager to hear what transpired during the birth. The only question they asked was if the child lived.
" Goodness, you are all acting rather childish. Are you to tell me that you'd miss your own childrens' births just so you wouldn't live through the horror of the process you have to endure. You are all just pathetic. " I rolled eyes at them in disbelief.
" It is unbecoming of men to witness that. It would be bad luck, " said Eron.
" I disagree with you. I think it would be a magical experience for both parents to witness their offspring enter this life. It is truly breathtakingly beautiful."
I glanced at Venerus. He was oddly silent and deep in thought. I would give a thousand gold coins for his thoughts. I wondered if his memories were coming back to him. I was beginning to worry about him. Without his memories he wouldn't be able to go back home.
What if he had left behind a family? That would just be awful. I do admit the thought of him having a wife stabbed at my heart but if he did I wouldn't hold it against him. He was the right age to be with a family. I was just bitter because I couldn't have that. Not with the Prince of Throni or the other eligible lads.
At the rate I was going I would die alone and bitter. I had nothing to look forward to in the future. Night fell on us and we had no choice but to set camp. Ranthel and Eron went to hunt while I started the fire. Venerus sat facing away from me his head bowed dejectedly. His boots were taken off and placed beside him and his pants were rolled up to reveal his pale legs.
" What troubles you, Venerus?" I asked as I neared him and plopped next to him.
" I can remember some things. I remember where I came from. I remember my family, " he said, voice laden with sadness.
" Where do you come from?"
" I come from an island near Bramin," he responded, a bit guarded. I knew he wasn't telling me the whole truth. He was being cautious and I didn't like it at all. He didn't trust me and that hurt a lot.
" You're a long way from home," I muttered, trying to hide the pain I felt in my heart.
" Yes, " that was all he said.
" It's truly nice to know you don't trust me, " I muttered dryly with a snarl.
" Somanca, " he murmured, pleading for me to understand but I couldn't. I couldn't fathom how someone I'd natured to health wouldn't even trust me a little. It was frustrating and saddening.
" I'm going to sleep, goodnight." I got up and went to my bed roll. I purposely faced away from him as I layed on my bed roll fighting the tears that were close to spilling out of my eyes.
I didn't even know why I was reacting this way. He didn't owe me anything. Why would he feel the need to tell me about himself? He was not even my lover. I huffed angrily. I really thought that we were friends. Friends told each other everything. Why in the Havens was he not trusting me?
When Ranthel and Eron came back they began preparing the food. When they woke me up to come eat I did so grudgingly. Venerus didn't meat my eyes as he nibbled at his meat. For the first time he didn't complain about it being cooked. When he was done he went to sleep and I did the same fuming in anger.
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MARTHA STREAMS