It was evening when we finally arrived at their fortress. It was well hidden in the mountains, and if one didn't know the way they would never find it. I was grateful to finally get out of the saddle with the knowledge that I would not have to mount up for a long time, or I prayed it would be a long while. Though to my surprise it was the young lad who helped me down, but I could feel Valen's attention on him and me as he set me down. I knew I would hear about it tonight in private, yet I wasn't too worried about it. Then a woman dressed in a long white dress that showed a little too much cleavage came over. I didn't like her immediately. "I am General Leandra, and I am the Leader of the Storm Raiders. We are a mercenary group, but we are loyal to the Imperial Dragon Throne," she said.
"We are thankful for your hospitality milady, but we need more than just loyalty. We need an army to take back the throne," Valen said.
"That we will discuss, but for now let's get you a change of clothes, a warm meal, and a warm bed," she said.
"Thank the Nine!" Layette exclaimed. I also felt the joy of being able to lay down, and the Leandra's eyes rested on me. I felt like smacking her for some reason, but I kept that to myself. She was giving us a place to sleep, so I had to be nice. Though I did not have to like her one little bit.
"You must be Empress Arya?" she asked. I wanted to be a smartass to her, but she gave us shelter, so I just nodded keeping my friendliest face on. Though hiding my hatred for someone was hard.
"I am," I said.
"Please milady, I can have a servant lead you to your chambers where you can rest, and I will have a doctor come by to check on you," she said. I didn't trust her, so I already knew I was not accepting this offer.
"I am fineā¦" Valen cut me off.
"She will accept," he said. I glared at him though sighed as I nodded, and the servant came running out. A frail looking girl with a long braid, and she motioned me to follow. I walked away then though I would expect an explanation later on. I was led away down the hall.
Michelle was my servant's name I found out as she drew the bath, and I undressed ready to clean myself. I hated being filthy, I hated smelling, and I hated my hair being nasty feeling. Though I blamed Valen for that, because before I married him I loved dirt. Then I married him, and became a pampered palace brat myself. The water felt like I was being reborn again as she helped in, and I dunked my head back coming up. My hair finally felt healthy again with no mud, blood, or anything else. In fact I was rather grateful for the warm bath, and the servant helping me bathe. She was very attentive as she washed my hair. "Are you sure you are comfortable?" she asked.
"Michelle, I am perfectly satisfied," I said. She looked skeptical, but nodded as she rinsed my hair. "I appreciate the concern though," I said. Michelle nodded as she finished rinsing my hair. I let my body relax, but I wished I knew what Valen was doing. The warm water seemed to cleanse every nasty word, cruel sneer, and other things of the past few days. I just wanted to sleep, and wake up to find it all one big bad nightmare.
"I will let you rest, and I'll be back to get you ready for dinner milady," she said.
"Thank you," I said. She nodded then helped me up, and she led me to my bedroom.
I woke to the door opening, so I raised my head. Michelle came back in the room. "Milady, it is time to get up. I have a clean outfit for you, and also I can do your hair," she said. I thanked her as I got up.
"Where is my husband?" I asked.
"He is with the others are being led the dining room as we speak," said Michelle. I nodded letting her help me out of the nightgown that she had brought when she had helped me bathe, and she helped me in a nice dress of light purple. It was heart shaped at the top, but flowed out as it went. The soft material was comfortable which was a relief to me as she then helped me with my shoes. They were flats which made me happy.
"Oh thank the Nine, you brought me flats!" I exclaimed. She laughed at me, but nodded her head.
"I knew your feet must be killing you," she said.
"Well you were right," I laughed. I put the shoes on quickly, and glad they were not heels. As Empress in the palace I had to wear heels to get respect, because men still didn't take me seriously. Though right now flats were a grateful change. "Thank you," I said.
"You are welcome my lady," she said. We left the room then I was very tired though as I followed her back down another strange corridor, but I had a feeling it was in the right direction. I could smell food, and my stomach growled. My baby had to be hungry, but I was famished as well. Nine months pregnant, and I had to admit I ate more than I usually did. Though I was feeding two. I was a little nervous though, because Michelle didn't act right to me. She seemed a little nervous, but maybe she was nervous about being near me?
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"Yes milady, I am just a little tired," she said. That wasn't the truth, but I jsut sighed.
"Very well, get some rest," I said.
"I will once I get you to the dining hall," she said.
"Good,"I said. Though her health didn't worry me. I was worried about confronting Nilan, yet decided to let Valen deal with him. I was tired of Nilan treating me like dirt. I might be an ass at times, and a bitch most other times. However I deserved to be treated like a human.
~
At dinner I eased myself down into a chair. Which I should have made an effort to sit beside Valen, but I was too tired right now as I cherished the softness of the velvet against my back. I felt everyone looking at me which annoyed me. "Arya, are you alright?" Valen asked. He was sitting beside Leandra which made me a little twitchy. Though I nodded.
"I am fine," I said. I was a little nervous that Leandra might try to steal my husband, but she had another thing coming if she thought I'd sit by and watch. I got up then going over to sit beside Valen, and he smiled as he moved the chair back for me. I sighed though saw Leandra do something that did piss me off. She finished talking, and looked at me. She patted his arm as she sat back , so I quickly took his hand. He leaned over kissing me. I smiled as he then caressed my cheek.
"I am glad you got some rest," he said.
"I needed it," I said. He nodded as he kissed me again, and I leaned back into it. "I wish you'd been with me," I whispered. He smiled as he slid a hand over my belly. He pulled away from me as he turned back to Leandra.
"Well I'm glad you're alright," Leandra said. I nodded though felt anger burning.
"Thank you, I appreciate your concern," I said.
"Now then, I propose we get started with planning our move against King Richard," Leandra said. Everyone leaned forward, but I stayed leaned back placing a hand on Valen's knee. "He has an advantage, but we could get enough people that if we surprised them we'd win," she said. Everyone seemed alright with this, but I doubted it was that easy. "My Emperor, I even contacted the best Spymaster you could ask for," she said. Valen looked at me then turned to Leandra.
"Look, I appreciate it, but I have my Spymaster," he said. Leandra looked a bit taken aback as she looked at him.
"Who could possibly beat the Spy Michael Smith?" asked Leandra.
"My wife," Valen said. Leandra looked surprised as she looked at me, and I just smiled as happily as I could. "I trust my wife, and she is the only Spymaster I need," he said. I was too happy. She nodded though looked rather confused, but I just smiled happily. Then Valen sighed though I got up feeling tired then. I kissed Valen on the cheek.
"I am going to bed," I said. I retired for the night changing into a sleeping gown provided by the fortress, and got into bed after I prepared. I woke sometime later to Valen coming in looking ruffled, but he just undressed to his underwear then laid down. I scooted towards him putting my back against him, and he just slid his hand under my head to put his arm there. I shifted as he moved in behind me. "Valen," I said.
"Hmm?" he asked.
"I know what I am about to say might be a little upsetting, but after all that has happened in the past few days. I am grateful you didn't agree with Nilan, and leave me even though it might have been the better idea," I said. Valen's arm tightened as he leaned over kissing my cheek then caressed my cheek.
"Arya, I don't care what kind of idea it was, but losing you was not an option," Valen said. I smiled as I turned to my back to look at him, and he adjusted so he could caress my cheek. He kissed me again. "Nilan might not cherish his wife, but to me you are more valuable than gold," he said.
"I love you," I said.
"I love you," Valen responded.
"I pray that I recover from the giving birth quickly, and I promise you'll have my help with the Spymaster," I said.
"Arya, I am not going to force you to give up time with the baby, or cause you to get sick over trying to help me. The best thing you can do is keep doing what you do best," Valen said. I gave a confused look.
"What is that?" I asked. He gave a simple smile as he kissed me then caressed my cheek, and ran his hand over my very swollen belly.
"Be a valuable source of information, and a valuable source of comfort," Valen said. I smiled as I leaned in kissing him again.
"Alright," I said. He caressed my cheek as he looked over me. By the Nine I wanted to get that man inside me, but I doubted having sex would benefit me right now. Though I vowed once I could have sex with him again. I would take that man, and make love you him like we'd never done before.
"Get to sleep, you need as much sleep as you can get. I know you must be exhausted," he said. I nodded then, and after he was settled back down I snuggled up to him. I felt my heart relieved at being with him. I prayed this war would end, and then we could focus again on our family.
~
The next day I woke to an empty bed which made me nervous, and I raised my head looking around the room. Though I still had my bad feeling. I didn't trust Leandra one bit, but I don't know why. She had been nothing but nice to me, yet I felt like she might be dangerous. I was sitting up when Valen stopped me as he came from the bathroom. "I want you to rest today," Valen said. I didn't know what to say as I sat, yet I only went to get up again. Valen gave me a look that told me to sit still.
"Valen, I am not staying all day in bed," I said.
"Please Arya, you must be exhausted after the escape, and you need to rest to save energy for giving birth," Valen said. I looked at him though I backed down nodding.
"Very well," I whispered. Valen sighed coming over kneeling down as he took my chin, and kissed me on the forehead.
"My love, I just want you well rested for the birth, because there are so many women that die of childbirth," he whispered. I was about to respond when I felt something break inside me with a searing pain in my back. I had to get up as I felt more pain.
"By the Nine!" I exclaimed, as I accidentally pushed him away.
"What is it?" he asked. I grasped the back of a chair as I felt more pain, and I grunted in agony as I squeezed.
"Get a nurse!" I cried. Valen rubbed my side though I only pulled away. "Go! Now!" I wailed. I heard him running out the door as quickly as he could.
~
In an hour a nurse had me laying in the bed on some sort of pad thing as I began to have contractions. My water had broken just as Valen brought back the nurse, but the nurse would only allow Marissa and Layette in with me. If there was ever a greater pain in the world I never wanted to find out as I grasped the bed screaming in agony, and Marissa was dabbing my forehead with a cold cloth. Layette held my shoulders as I sat screaming as I gave a push with the contraction. Sweat beaded down my forehead, and pain seared through my body. "Nine Divine help me! By the Nine!" I cried.
"Push, you've got this," said Marissa.
"Push! Come on Arya, give a good push!" Layette said. I wanted to scream shut up, but that might get me in trouble. Actually I wanted to scream at Valen, for this was his fault. Though I couldn't do that to him either. All I did truly know right then was I wanted the baby out, and I wanted it out right now. I was eager to meet my baby, but I knew it would be a fight all day long to get it out here. I was prepared though for this fight, yet prayed that I had the strength to make it through to giving birth. I screamed again.
"Push!" the nurse exclaimed. I gave everything into this as I pushed, and I felt the contractions getting worse. I pushed harder. If I died, I wanted my baby out before I went. I would fight.
