Alys felt a fresh wave of nausea hit her. She sank to the side of the dirt path. In front of her, Selendrile stopped and turned around. He put his hands in his pockets and waited for an explanation.

"I feel too dizzy," she mumbled, her eyes closed.

Selendrile stood quietly observing her clutching her belly and slowly rocking back and forth.

"You're too dizzy to fly and now you're too dizzy to walk," he observed in his usual monotone. "How do you suggest we get to Crowfoot?"

Alys didn't answer. She felt too sick to point out that they could not have made it to Crowfoot by daybreak if they went by foot. Selendrile was annoyed ever since she insisted that she could not fly, even though his expression betrayed no hint of it.

He left her side and walked further down the path as if he sensed something coming towards them. Soon enough she heard hooves and wheels and saw the light of an approaching cart. The driver stopped when he came upon them.

"Excuse me, Sir," she heard Selendrile say, "Might I trouble you for a little while? You see, my wife has taken very ill and I fear I need to take her to a doctor right away. Might we bother you with a ride to Crowfoot?"

"Aye, she doesn't look so well, does she?" The stranger had a gruff but kind voice. "But I'm afraid there's no doctor at Crowfoot tonight. It seems the doctor himself was taken sick. I heard the townspeople speak of it at the market."

Selendrile was quiet.

"But if you need a place to stay," the stranger continued, "my farmhouse is a little way off down the road from here. My wife will be glad to tend to yours for the night."

"I'm grateful," said Selendrile and promptly walked up to Alys and dragged her up with a hand on her waist and loaded her onto the cart. The bumping motion of the cart did little to soothe her nausea, but she felt relieved not to have to walk.

"From where do you come?" the farmer asked them.

"Further east," was all Selendrile answered.

"And your name, Sir?"

"Dragonsmith."

It was the name they used in big cities when they traveled as a high-born couple. Country folk usually did not have such names. Perhaps Selendrile thought the farmer would be more hospitable if there was the possibility of a generous compensation, which would not be problem for them after all.

By the time they arrived at the farmhouse, she was feeling worse. The farmer went inside to fetch his wife, and Selendrile silently helped Alys down from the cart. She rested her weight on him and waited.

Through her wave of dizziness she was only aware of a plump woman ushering her inside and setting her down on a hard armchair. She closed her eyes and leaned back and was only half listening to the conversation between the farmer and his wife.

"Why don't you fetch Angela to come take a look at her?"

"Oh I don't know about that. Folks have been saying things about her these days. They're blaming the sickness at Crowfoot on her. Been saying she's a witch."

"Oh nonsense! Angela's as good as any doctor and you know she's helped us out through many a sick spot."

The husband started to grumble, but Selendrile cut in.

"I'd be really grateful if you would fetch her, please. And if I can repay you in anyway- "

Alys started the feel the bile rise in her throat.

"A bucket," she gasped.

"Oh dear," exclaimed the farmer's wife and Alys heard a rustle of movement in the next room. She gripped the arm of the chair tightly.

"Why do you need a bucket?" asked Selendrile. She could detect confusion in his voice.

But in response, Alys only retched and tried to hold on to the vomit until her hostess placed a bucket in her arms. She hadn't eaten all day, so she only threw up liquid. But when it was over, she immediately felt better and the tension in her body slowly ebbed.

She became aware of a hand gently rubbing her back in circles. She turned around to see the farmer's wife sitting on the arm of the chair, smiling down at her. She was a plump kindly woman.

"There, I'm sure that feels better now," she said.

Alys nodded and set down the bucket. She murmured her thanks to the woman who only smiled wider and said, "I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. It might even be good news."

This seemed to be a bit much for Selendrile.

"My wife is belching out the water inside her. How can that be good news?" he demanded, the impatience clear in his voice.

"Why, she might be with child!" exclaimed the woman.

Alys was taken quite unprepared by the declaration. "It can't be," she exclaimed before even thinking about it. The farmer's wife looked from her incredulous face to Selendrile's still confused one.

"Why, how long have you been married?" she asked.

"Not even two years, yet," replied Selendrile. "But what makes you think she is with child?"

"Why, haven't seen a woman with child having trouble holding on to her food? Why I never could when I was pregnant."

The woman clearly had not noticed that Alys had not thrown up any food. And that she was weak and dizzy and probably coming down with a fever. Besides, she thought, her monthly blood had not been late. There was no way she could be pregnant even if a human could bear children with a dragon.

"Anyways, Angela would be able to tell," their hostess went on. "Meantime, I shall go prepare a room for you to spend the night. My son's room has been empty ever since he left for work. I'm sure that will suite you fine," she talked even as she left the room.

Selendrile turned to look at Alys with raised eyebrows.

"Is there any particular reason why you might be with child?" he asked.

"I'm not," she responded crossly. "And weren't you the one who told me we could never have children?"

"Ah, but how am I to know what you're up to when I leave you behind in different towns during the day?"

It took Alys a few seconds to fully process the insult and the next moment she was on her feet.

"How dare you?" she growled at him. She wanted to fly at him and strike him, but on her feet now, she reeled and sank back down on the armchair.

"Clearly I have offended you." He might have just made another interesting observation about humans.

"Wouldn't a dragon be offended by an accusation like that?" she snapped at him. Selendrile had told her that dragons typically remained loyal to their mates while they were still together.

He considered her question with his head cocked to one side and finally said, "Yes. Especially females."

Alys said nothing in response.

Uncharacteristically, he continued talking. "But females are always very careful when choosing their mates. And when a male is not able to give a female any children, she has no obligation to remain with him."

Alys put a hand to her forehead and she realized that it was getting hotter. She would have to think about what he said, but right now hear hurt too much. When the farmer's wife came down to fetch her, she gladly went with her and gratefully lay down in bed.