Flora's breathing was shaky as they started on the path again. Thinking about heading back to where she was first enslaved, she was absolutely terrified. She almost leaped into the air as she felt Martin take her hand paw. He looked to her with a comforting smile. "No one's going to hurt you this time around," he said.
"I know. I know." She looked down at the trail as they went.
"It's quite a ways," Evan said. "About 2 or 3 weeks, and I don't think we'll get lucky enough to have a passing merchant heading that way pick us up."
Sierra stretched a little, walking on ahead of them. "Well, unless you count me a passing merchant," she said with a chuckle. The small group forged ahead, the path not as well beaten as some of the others they encountered. Each night, Flora looked to Martin for comfort. One couldn't blame her for feeling so vulnerable if she's have to face the Austin family again. Wanting to help improve her mood, Martin sat with her, rubbing her ears. "So, tell me a bit more about that young Austin boy. The good times. I already heard the bad. You said you enjoyed the times you got to play together, right?"
"Yeah. He always loved to play your usual child games. Hide and seek, tag, all that. There were even some nights we fell asleep in the barn together. A few times he even came inside my cage just because he said he wanted to hug me and fell asleep there. Ooh, were his parents upset about that when they caught us. They thought I lured him there to try and find my chance to run. He always stuck his neck out for me to protect me and they would back down. A noble little man, in every sense."

"Maybe we'll get lucky and we'll find him when we reach the town. I'll make that top priority as we're looking to charter a ship," he said with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you didn't try to run when he joined you like that."
"I should have, but seeing him there like that, I couldn't bring myself to leave him, and I certainly couldn't try to take him and run. That would have made me a kidnapper, and I don't need that."
Martin chuckled a little, taking her hands. "You're good with kids, it seems." He placed is hand gently on her belly. "You would make a wonderful mother. Too bad that can't happen, given who you've chosen as your mate," he said with a smile.
She placed her free hand gently atop his hand on her belly. "Even knowing that, I still made this choice. I stand by it. I will not regret it. I'm yours, Martin."
"And I'm yours," he replied, leaning in and nuzzling her gently.

Meanwhile, outside the tent, Sierra and Evan sat around the campfire, making sure it was well stocked with wood. Evan was getting Sierra caught up to speed on what he knew about their relationship. "Huh. Who would have guessed," she said with a shrug. "If I'd paid that much, I know I wouldn't just give a slave freedom to walk. Still, seeing this outcome, I'm happy for them."
Evan tilted his head. "You're okay with it? I thought the Basitin were extremely uptight about people loving outside their own species."
"Most, but I'm not exactly your normal Basitin. I left the island for one. Most Basitin never leave the island. They're born there, they live there, they die there without any regard for the world beyond the borders of the docks. It's truly deplorable."
"What made you want to leave?" he asked, looking to her wit curiosity.
"Just that. I knew a wider world existed, and I wanted to see it. I still go back, and I'm welcomed by my family. They keep badgering me to find a mate," she said, shaking her head. "Don't know how much you know about Basitin culture, but aside from those serving in the castle, those raising children, and during the one week that's designated mating week, male and female Basitin don't even live together. It's like we're completely separate cultures. I don't feel like finding a husband I'll only see one week out of the year or when I'm knocked up. That's why I became a traveler. No walls separating me from others. Who needs that?"
Evan gave her a nod. "Yeah. I used to live on Basitin Island for a while. It's actually where I met the love of my life," he said, opening the locket to show her."
"A canine Keidran."
"Yes. She was the ambassador for them visiting on business. One thing led to another, and before either of us knew it, it was love." He smiled a little. "We didn't stay there, of course. We went to a place where we could live together and freely show our love. The same place I'm trying to take Martin and Flora now. Originally, it was just so Flora could be free and not have to worry about being a slave anymore, but now, well, I want to watch this love of their unfold. Plus, Martin could probably still use some advice. He's not exactly an expert on Keidran."
"And I suppose you are," Sierra said with a chuckle. "At least enough of one."
"Yeah. Anyhow, we should get some sleep," he said, heading into his tent.

The days passed as they traveled. They were still about a week away from Edinboro when Flora started to show signs of illness. More and more, she was throwing up. It didn't seem like she had eaten anything that would have upset her stomach. When asked if she was all right, she chuckled a little. "I guess I'm just nervous about seeing the Austins again," she said, laughing it off.

"Be that as it may, if this doesn't clear up by the time we get there, I think we should visit a doctor," Evan said. "It could be the first signs of something serious."
She gave him a nod. "Yeah. I guess I can't argue that. We still have a week to travel. It should clear up by then."
"I know an excellent doctor in Edinboro," Sierra said with a smile. "He lost his eyesight many years ago in an accident, but with that sense gone, and magic at his disposal, he grew even sharper. Now, he can tell what's wrong with a patient by the way their energy, their spirit flows in their body. I won't pretend to fully understand it, but the fact remains, he's a wonderful doctor with an outstanding success rate."
Evan looked to Flora, chuckling a bit. He began speaking the Keidran language. "Yeah. We better get you looked at so Martin doesn't start worrying about is little tiger girl. I mean, you just got together."
"Ha ha. Very funny," she said back in the same language. "Martin's little tiger indeed. Though I guess there are worse things to be called."
"Well, why not call you my little tiger?" Martin asked, causing both of them to look over.
"I thought you didn't speak the Keidran language," Evan said.
"Well, I don't. I didn't understand what you said, but Flora was speaking plain English."
"Ummm...Actually I wasn't," Flora said. "Yet somehow, you understood me."
"Perhaps it's an aftereffect of the Grand Templar's spell that saved you, Flora," Evan said. "Pure conjecture, but if he's able to understand your Keidran speech and not mine, that's really the best theory I can offer."
"Well, maybe I just know her so well," Martin said with a chuckle. "Either way, how is your magic practice going?"
"I'm starting to get the basics," Flora said. "At least to the point I know how to draw mana from the stones to form into a spell, and how to recharge them."
"Yes. You're progressing well," Evan said knowingly. "Perhaps we should ease up, though, in case that's what's making you sick."
"Whatever you think is best," Martin said. "Don't want sickie tiger," he added, kissing her nose.

The week passed as they made their way towards the city. Flora's illness showed no signs of clearing up. In fact, it seemed to get worse as they went. Once they reached the gates, she took a deep breath. "Last chance to turn back," Martin said, to which Flora shook her head. "I'm going through with it," she said, stepping past the gate.
"First stop is the doctor," Sierra said, leading the way for them. The entire city was like nothing they'd seen before. Tall buildings, streams throughout the whole place, and a large mansion at the top of the hill, belonging to the Austin family. They soon arrived to the relatively small doctor's office. As they stepped inside and waited, they were soon met by the elderly doctor. His eyes pale with the lack of sight, he still had no trouble getting around. His face turned towards them. "Who is the patient?" he asked, Flora stepping forward. "Come this way please."
Martin followed after her. "I'm coming with her," he insisted.
"Very well, but only the one. The examination room isn't big enough for more." He led the way back, motioning for Flora to lie on the table. She laid back as he placed a hand on her forehead. Almost instantly, the doctor recoiled. "My word! The energy in your body. It's fractured to pieces."
"That was the result of black magic she unknowingly used in a fit of rage against a group of bandits attacking our camp," Martin said. "Yet with the Grand Templar's help, she was able to be saved."
The doctor turned is gaze towards Martin. "Give me your hand, young man." Martin complied, and quickly, it came to light. "Ah, the Grand Templar filled in the missing portions of her spirit with yours. I see it now. A very rare sight, and one that can have profound effects. The most notable and commonly seen, as rare as this sort of fix is, would be the extension of life in the receiving Keidran, and the shortening of the life of the human."
Martin tilted his head. "You're saying Flora will live longer than normal now?"
"Quite right," the doctor said. "Say for example a Keidran who would live to 20 receives this sort of spirit transfusion from a human who would live to 90. A sort of balancing act takes effect, and the life of the Keidran would be extended to roughly 40 or 50, while the life of the human, shortened to 50 or 60."
"Even so, I'm glad to hear it," Martin said. "It means Flora will be around about twice as long."
"Yes. That is good news, but not the reason we're here," Flora said. "I've been feeling quite ill the past few weeks, and I can't figure out what it is. I haven't eaten anything that would upset my stomach." The doctor moved his hand gently along her head, neck, arms, and sides, before a smile spread on his face.
"Well, there's nothing to worry about," he said. "Yet at the same time, I'm afraid I cannot offer any sort of medicine to relieve these symptoms."
Flora shook her head. "If there's nothing to worry about, that's good, but what's causing it? What do I have?" she asked.
"And why is there nothing you can do? Don't you have medicines for vomiting?"
"I do," the doctor said. "But I'm afraid they won't help for a case of morning sickness." They both looked at him in confusion.
"And that is...what exactly?" Flora asked.
"Why it's the reaction to the hormones produced in a female during the early stages of pregnancy," he said with a chuckle.
Flora went wide-eyed at hearing that. "You...You must be mistaken. I couldn't possibly be pregnant. I've never mated with another Keidran."
"I am not mistaking the 3rd spirit I feel within you." Flora looked to Martin, her face showing horror. In her shock, her words came out all in Keidran.
"Martin...I-I swear. I did not cheat on you. I swear it Martin!" She shook her head, letting out a cry. "You're my one and only! I would never cheat on you!" She began to sob loudly, running out of the room.
"Go after her," the doctor said with a smile.
Martin headed after Flora, who was curled up in the waiting room. Sierra and Evan were trying to figure out what was wrong. Martin took Flora's hand gently.
"I know what they all say!" Flora shouted, still in Keidran. "That a Keidran can't commit. That they're unfaithful, that they don't care who they mate with. But I have committed. I pledged myself to Martin! I would never betray him! Please, believe me Martin!" Tear were running down her face, before he pulled her to her feet and into a hug.
"Who ever said I doubted you?" he said, hugging her. Her lip quivered as she wiped her eyes on his shirt. "I know you're not the kind to cheat, Flora. I believe you. I trust you."
"Would someone care to fill me in?" Evan asked, shaking his head.
"I will," the doctor said, making his way out. "Flora, was it? I know it was an initial shock, hearing that you're pregnant when you have such a...non-traditional mate. However, I can offer an explanation of how. It's his spirit, the part of him inside of you that was used to save you. In essence, you can thank the Grand Templar. She gave you more than life. Thanks to her, you can create life with your lover."
Flora looked into Martin's eyes. "Are you...are you sure you're ready, Martin?"
"Ready or not, it's going to happen. I admit, I'm quite surprised, and I'm not as prepared as I would have liked. However, I pledged to you that I would protect you, and I would be there for you, and this will be no exception." He kissed her right there, not caring who saw. "You know I love you Flora." He turned back to the doctor. "This goes without saying, but we'll need to ask you to keep this secret. Not everyone is as accepting of this sort of thing."
"Worry not. Your secret is safe with me, and with my staff." He smiled a bit. "I only ask that you make your way back here when it happens, that I may witness the first such child."
"I think we can do that," Flora said, placing her hand on her belly. "Wow. I just...can't believe it."
"Believe it," Martin said, resting his hand atop hers. "It's happening."