The labour was long and arduous, but it was her first, so the midwife wasn't surprised. The mother was a young woman who she had not seen before. This pegged them as transients - as she knew every woman within a six mile radius of Highever, most of them professionally.
She seemed able to cope with the pain better than most first time mothers. Each time a contraction came, she concentrated and breathed deeply, seeming to look within and find strength, rather than let it out in cries of agony. The midwife didn't judge those who did choose to use their voices - but it she had to admit it was pleasant not to have the onslaught on her ears this time.
The husband - he was young but well-to-do - seemed as nervous as all new fathers, standing next to his wife's shoulder, squeezing her hand anxiously. He was a tall man - dark haired and dark eyed - possibly with some Riviani blood in him. His wife was dark haired as well, so it was somewhat surprising when the babe finally slithered into the arms of the midwife, to see pale skin and a head topped with pale blond strands.
She raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she deftly cut the cord, the husband helping the woman to the bed from the birthing stool. She placed the infant, unwashed and squalling, on the woman's chest, knowing from experience it was best to get the child and mother into contact as soon as possible. They never complained of the blood and mess. They wanted their children straight away - and sometimes - heart wrenchingly - it would be the only chance they had to hold them.
Not in this case, however. The babe was healthy and fat - no sign of being either early or late. His wails were lusty and his fists waved strongly in the air like little maces.
"A fighter, mistress," the midwife said, grinning at the picture. "He's strong and healthy. Should be nursing in no time."
The mother smiled up at her, eyes shining. "Thank you," she said.
She stayed for a few more hours, helping with the afterbirth, cleaning up the rooms and assisting the mother with nursing, before taking her leave, promising to come back in the morning.
"Ah, we won't be needing you, good woman," the husband said, handing her a pouch of coin. "I thank you for your help at such short notice, but we must be on our way when light comes."
"Ser - I don't want to interfere, but really your wife shouldn't be traveling so soon after the birth - there was some tearing..."
"You don't need to worry," he said, smiling secretively. "She heals fast. We'll be on our way in the morning."
The midwife shrugged. She figured the wife would sort him out soon enough, when he suggested they leave. No woman felt much like walking or traveling the day after giving birth for the first time. She would call again in the morning in any case.
"And... ah... there's a little extra in the pouch," he continued. "We'd appreciate it if you didn't mention you helped us. Or met us - should anyone come asking."
Again, she raised an eyebrow. It wasn't the first time she'd been asked to keep a birth secret, either, but she hadn't pegged this couple for criminals, or adulterers. There had been no one on hand to take the babe away, either. Curious.
Still, it didn't pay to be nosy, and when she checked the pouch of coin outside the inn, she realised they'd paid enough to keep her silent forever. A poor woman, but honest, she resolved to give some of the coin - not all of it - back when she returned the next day.
However, true to their word, when she returned to the inn the following morning, all three of them were gone.