Chapter 14

The old gnome ordered them to take hands and not let go. Giving an encouraging smile to Graven M'lar with little hesitation reached for the gnome's hand and curled her cool fingers around his hand. Once again with everyone holding hands the party of four disappeared in a blinding flash of yellow light.

In a blink of an eye M'lar found herself standing in the center of the town that was known as Northgate. The banners had been hung welcoming her to their settlement and the signs of a large turn out and party were still evident.

Gael turned looking at the change in the town. The houses were whitewashed and clean, the roadway smoothed out and signs of paving beginning. In the center square a large structure with a placard bearing the brand of an O and the picture of a scroll imprinted was nailed to the front wall near the door.

On the opposite of the Wall was a dedication placard that read, "With sincerest appreciate to the Lore mistress of a Great God Oghma, Lady M'lar the First of Lord Camron, long may she live happy."

Gael turned on the balls of his feet as he took in the image of what he had seen to be a town war ravaged and decimated. He had remembered the last time he was here seeing the people beaten down with eyes that would look vacantly around them. Appearing to have given up with no sign of hope.

He now was witness to this and apparently it was all because this female had taken the time to care and offer her help.

"Aye believes aye now My Lady M'lar. Do you wish to seek out the Town's Alderman to let him know you have arrived?"

She turned to look for signs of life; a group of the locals made their way towards the school and halted in their tracks. Upon seeing M'lar they all rushed forward, stopped in front of her and went down on bended knees.

"You came Malady! You did not give up on us."

Spriteyes had his answer and he stood back to allow this meeting. Smiling he felt as if he had been a part of this joyous occasion and his grumpiness was soon being dispelled while he listened to the excited chatter around him.

Knowing this was his doing in delaying her he stepped forward to apologize. "I ask you all to forgive me, it seems I am the reason the good lady was unable to meet her appointed time with you."

The Alderman moved to the front of the crowd and narrowed his eyes. "Gael? Is that you; you old reprobate?"

Gael turned to peer with astonishment upon the face of an old friend; one he thought had fallen to the ravages of the war that had once swept this land.

His old rummy eyes stung with tears as he gazed upon a brother and friend. "Aldo, you live!"

He moved to hug his friend and felt the tightening of the arms around his shoulders. "Aye my old friend, I live and have hope to continue to live now we have the attention of Lord Camron and his First our beloved Lady M'lar."

Once again, Gael gazed back to M'lar that was hugging and laughing with the townspeople. "It seems we finally have someone that cares."

Aldo nodded, "She is the prophecy long ago spoken of and now she had come our lives will change forever."

Gael nodded and turned to study her a moment longer and he could not help but wonder what change she truly would bring. "So it would seem my old friend so it would seem."

Time was passing at a slower rate of speed for M'lar as she began to swell with the burgeoning life within her womb. She further found that Camron spent less time on this plane of existence.

It appeared he was to be preoccupied with his various wars and conquests. Which M'lar did not find all that distressing. She could feel the life within her moving with restlessness.

She had been told that most fetuses have these restless movements were from the fetus anticipating their final growth and desire to push their forms into the world.

It was during the times when she was feeling alone she found solace in the form of teaching the children of Castlekeep. The town's people welcomed her with open arms and happiness whenever she would arrive. She would immediately take up her position as schoolteacher and coax young and old to come to the school to learn.

It was on one such occasion that she became acutely aware that she was being observed by a mysterious figure that kept his dark figure at a distance.

Unnerving her to some extent she began to become more aware of her need for a guard.

The day started out as a hot and unrelenting with humidity. What did not help was on this unseasonably warm day the alarm of danger was sounded. It had started with the blowing of the horn from the outpost, to the pyres that were lit. The last bastion of the alarms would be f the ringing of the school bell.

The good people of Castlekeep rushed to the schoolhouse, going immediately to the escape door under her desk. The guard she had brought with her helped the elderly and the infirmed and children down the ladder waiting for her to go before following her down.

As she reached the escape door, she heard it with her sensitive hearing.; it was the soft cry of a small child.

Pushing past her guard, M'lar rushed to the center of the room and up the stairs where she found a small child of no more than three sitting on the floor scared, and crying for her mother.

Picking her up, M'lar rushed down the stairs as the door to the schoolhouse was splintered by a tremendous shockwave. Diving down the steps in a tumbling fashion she protected the child with her own body.

Seeing the door being held open by the Mayor, she rushed to hand the child over as the trap door from above was being inundated with large male Orc bodies rushing down the stairs. They all stood dumbfounded peering the impossible.

M'lar pressed her back to the door and held her breath she waited to see what would happen. They spoke to each other, "It is true, and the breeder does exist!"

Speaking in the rough orcish language M'lar spoke defiantly, with more bravado than she felt "Aye I do exist. I will warn you to leave before you find exactly what I can do."

She could feel her heart racing and thumping against her breasts. Then the room fell silent as the sound of booted feet moved down the stairs.

M'lar watched transfixed her gaze glued to the stairs. There she saw black knee high boots cover black pants. More of the man's body appeared with each movement down the steps.

She noted the long black cloak draped over a tall thin body drag down each step. She looked into the coldest cruel stare she had ever seen next to Camron.

The face was handsome with its angular shape, and the lips curled into a humorless smile. He stared at her and she could feel his gaze bore into her very being. In one glance she could tell he was a cold-hearted bastard that was out to take what he wanted.

M'lar could feel the door move and she stepped forward which caused the warriors in the room to reach for their weapons. Moving to the side she felt her slender forearm snatched and she was jerked back into the doorway.

Stumbling backwards she heard the drop of the heavy bar fall into place. She was then summarily ushered down the hallway towards the escape tunnel.

From behind they could hear the door being assaulted. As they cleared the first checkpoint, one of the men pulled the lever and the tunnel was collapsed.

Rushing onward M'lar felt herself tiring and the baby becoming distressed by her emotions. Stopped to clutch at her swollen stomach, she bent over to catch her breath only to feel her self swept up in a pair of strong arms and carried on past next checkpoint where another lever was pulled to collapse the rest of the tunnel.

Moving forward towards the sliver of light at the end of the tunnel, M'lar was carried to the protected area of the lake and bowl area.

Gently she was set on her feet, where she was then escorted to the nearest cave entrance and put on a cot. The area was secured and a perimeter was established. Basil released the hawk was sent with a message for reinforcements to be sent from the castle.

All the villagers had acted together and no casualties were reported. M'lar laid on the cot and rubbed her hand over the swell of her belly concentrating on a point on the ceiling of the cave.

She could hear the soft mummers of the villagers as they huddled outside the caves and watched anxiously to see if they were followed. With night spreading its darkness on the villagers they could hear the sound of heavy movement from the outer reaches of their secured hide out.

The guard that had escorted M'lar was not as seasoned as her previous guard and she sat up expectantly wondering if she would be forced to defend herself.

In quick order the Captain of the Castle guard shouted out to his men. "Caan, stand down! We have come to escort you all back to the village. The invaders had left."

A sigh of relief washed over the entire group watching the beleaguered looking Captain ride into view. M'lar was never so happy as she was at that moment to see Graven. Moving forward she smiled her appreciation to her Captain.

"Thank you good sir. We do appreciate your quick response."

The Graven stepped forward and bowed to M'lar. "M'lord Camron has sent us to bring you all to the village where he awaits. We captured most of the Orc invaders and they have been executed."

M'lar was happy the village was safe again, she was however of mixed emotions with Camron's return. Gathering the villagers together they all followed the four-mile trek back to the village.

They watched from a mile away smoke billowing into the air. The smell that greeted her was one she had become familiar with from her time spent in temple. It was a pyre of burning orcs flesh that filled the air with its stench.

Moving forward at the side of the roadway, she paused feeling the strain from their escape and the four-mile trek she was becoming fatigued when she felt the very air around her had become charged with static electricity.

Closing her eyes anticipating someone teleporting in via magic she waited as she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand with the static and then heard the pop as the dimension around them was disturbed.

Waiting for the flash to pass and hearing the gasp and sounds of blades being drawn from leather scabbards she tensed her own hands on the walking staff she held.

Then there was a collective sigh of relief. "M'lord Camron, we have dispatched the raiding party and await your further orders."

Camron stood resplendent in his black armor and looked very grim and cold hearted with the massive helm of a dragon's head on his helm. "

Why is she walking? She is bearing my child and she looks exhausted."

M'lar stepped towards Camron and spoke softly as she offered an awkward low curtsy to him. "Milord I was offered the use of a horse but felt it wise to walk the distance from the secured area. Please do not blame the guard, they have all walked next to us instead of riding to make us feel more comfortable and they have even allowed the old and infirmed to ride on their steads."

Camron stared through her as he listened to her plea, and then held up his hand. "Come we must return to the castle. There are plans to make and we must discuss what you know of this intruder that tried to take this village."

M'lar nodded and took his gauntlet covered hand. With little effort he pulled her close. She heard him uttered one word and they were immediately teleported from the village to return to the throne room.

Appearing in the throne room M'lar was immediately aware of a gathering of the four lords of the vales that surrounded Camron's replication of his holdings. M'lar felt very tired and was not much in the mind to stand and hear the utterings and pleas of the local nobles.

She certainly was not ready to listen to their jealous whining wives make their observations of her or her condition. Turning to face Camron folding her hands together in front of her she spoke softly watching him take him gauntlets off and then his helm.

Moving to his chair he assumed his position on his throne. "Milord at your pleasure may I please be excused, I find myself quiet fatigued and feeling a bit ill."

Camron glowered at her then waved his hand dismissing her. "Please see yourself to your room. I will have them send up something to eat, you should rest."

M'lar bowed and turned but not before she saw the look of disgust and hatred upon the faces of the lord's wives from the East and West vales.

Lowering her gaze she moved uneasily from the room. Though she was early in her pregnancy she was feeling tired and very nauseous.

Making her way to the stairs she made haste to find her way to her room. Upon reaching her room, she heard Lenore in her bathing chambers. Moving towards the door she watched the woman prepared her bath.

"Oh Malady, we have your bath prepared. I will bring in clean clothing. It would appear you are entraining the nobles tonight."

M'lar smiled wanly watching the sweet faced woman await her entering the room. "I was hoping to forego that pleasure tonight. I am feeling very exhausted. I am afraid we had some unpleasantness at Castlekeep earlier and were over run by orcs."

Lenore looked with concern upon her lady's pale features. "We heard rumors of such and were put on standby. When the hawk arrived, the castle guard went ahead of Lord Camron. The nobles have been unerringly bending his ear about the threat and then updating him on the raids."

M'lar began to slip off the over dress she wore and let it slide to the floor and pool at her feet. Stepping out of the garment she moved to the tub and slowly lowered her self into its inviting comfort.

Truth be told she was feeling rather sticky and dirty. For once she allowed the maid to help wash her hair and bath her tired and sore body. Lenore had noticed the small swell of her belly as she bathed her back.

"The babe seems to be growing." M'lar nodded. "Being half elf and Camron being half elf it will be at least another 12 months until he is born."

Lenore sighed, "I would think it hard to just carry one for nine months, let alone eighteen months."

M'lar closed her eyes and sighed. "Full scro carry their young for seven months. Elves however take longer since they have a longer life span." She kept her eyes closed and allowed her self the luxury of enjoying this soothing bath.

"Malady, what will happen once you give birth, will you stay?"

M'lar had been avoiding those thoughts trying to not think about giving up the life that was now growing within her.

"I shall go home Lenore, back to my friends and others like me. I had a life and I agreed to give Milord Camron my body as a vessel to give him a son."

Lenore stood up and held up a long bathing sheet to put around her body as she began to dry her and her hair. "What if you have a girl child? Will you stay to produce another child?"

M'lar was beginning to get annoyed with the questions because they were hitting her close to her heart. "I know this child I carry is a boy Lenore. He shall have his son and I will go home. Now if you don't mind, I am feeling very hungry is there anything to eat?"

Effectively changing the subject she moved into her bedchambers and found her robe. Sliding into the robe she glanced over at the side table and noticed a tray of fresh fruit and thinly sliced meats with cheese were awaiting her.

Smiling she moved to the table to nibble on the tray. Glancing up she watched as Lenore moved with a lovely jewel toned dress and laid it across her bed along with the girdle that would ride her hips but not encumber her burgeoning small swell of her stomach.

"Milord asked that you come to his room when you are dressed, he wishes to see which dress you will be wearing this evening and what jewels you will wear."

M'lar sighed softly, "Another long and tedious night with the snobbish nobles I suppose?" She asked as she stood and allowed Lenore to begin and dress her.

She watched Lenore drape her body in several yards of deep blue elven silk, her hair was dressed with sapphires that matched the dress to perfection.

The golden girdle of soft leather harnessed her breasts and lay comfortably over the swell of her stomach stopping at her hips. She turned to peer at her image in the mirror and found it not unpleasing but vastly different.

The swell of her already overly large breasts was more so pronounced in the dress, the flat of her stomach was nowhere to be seen because of the drape of the material that now gathered around the girdle.

Feeling uncomfortable with the girdle she slipped it off. "I think I would do better to just let the material drape and hide the swell of my stomach Lenore."

M'lar slipped on the matching satin slippers. She turned to wait for Lenore to lead her to Camron's room. Waiting outside she played with the material of her dress. This had become a nervous habit she had acquired since arriving at the castle.

Lenore knocked lightly and the door opened without assistance. Camron stood at the fireplace; his hands locked firmly behind his back, his eyes cold as death, and his features stern. He turned and critically assessed her appearance.

"Turn."

He spoke with a coldness that unnerved M'lar. Slowly she moved in a circle turning for his examination. "Lenore, bring me the family cask, I want the blood diamond. M'lar will wear it at dinner tonight."

Lenore curtsied and turned moving to the interior of Camron's dressing chambers. M'lar had a chance to observe Camron while he stood bedecked in cream pants, double bested coat with gold braids, black thigh high boots.

The tails of his coat draped over the back of his body to brush the back of his knees. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck.

He stood unmoving dissecting her with his gaze watching her from his place in front of the fireplace.

"Why does he find you so intriguing?"

M'lar heard his voice but was not sure what he was speaking. "Excuse me? Were you addressing me?"

Camron shook his head and watched Lenore bringing the cask from the inner dressing chambers."

Open it and remove the blood diamond. Put it on her neck then we will be ready to go down to great our guests."

M'lar looked on watching Lenore set the cask down and open the lid to produce one of the largest clear diamonds she had ever seen. It dangled from a light elven chain. When the diamond was placed around her neck, she saw one imperfection that seemed to accent the diamond. A small single drop of red encased in the very center of the cut. M'lar surmised that this was probably the reason it was called a blood diamond.

The necklace was snapped into place around her neck, once again Camron commanded, "Turn around slowly."

Once again feeling she was on a revolving pedestal she turned slowly so he could approve of how she looked.

"Excellent. Thank you Lenore you are done for now. When my first is ready to retire you will help her prepare for bed."

Lenore dropped another curtsy to him and back out of the room closing the doors behind her.

"Shall we my dear, our guests await our presence and I do not wish to disappoint them. After all tonight we celebrate your beginning to show with my son."

He moved stiffly towards her extending his arm awaiting her fingers to lay gently into the crook of his arm.

The evening was turning into another long dragged out ordeal she was being forced to sit through. Like before she was at the end of the table facing Camron on the other end and the Dragos on her left and the Matriarch's on the right.

Malaise was becoming very trying, as she could not resist one jab after another to M'lar and her now swollen figure. " I personally took to the country when I became pregnant with Pansy. I certainly did not wish to be seen in public in such an ungainly and ungraceful condition."

M'lar sipped her water and lowered her gaze behind a fall of full dark lashes. "How fortunate for you malady." M'lar mumbled quietly as she picked at her food and glanced down to Camron who watched her with indifference over the top of his mug while he sipped his ale.

Salandra tittered annoyingly, "I do so know what you mean Maisie my dear, I felt the same way when I was with Andre. I did not wish any to see me looking like a waddling duck or a cow."

M'lar set her glass down and pointedly looked at one woman and then the other. "Ladies, I am sure in your condition you would have felt if not looked as such, but as I find having a life growing within me a beautiful and glorious event, I have so such insecurities as you had."

She fingered the stem of her glass, "I find that the body as it begins to thrive with life is very beautiful and fitting for ones of our station and status."

She turned to peer directly from one woman to the other, "After all as nobles you were obligated to produce an heir, for me I volunteered to give our Lord a son."

M'lar stood abruptly knocking over her chair in her irritation with the vacuous women. " And as enlightening as I find this subject, I find that I have grown weary and will ask you to excuse me."

She laid her napkin on her plate, and stood back, forcing the men at the table to rise with her.

"Good evening." She turned and walked with her head held proud to the doorway.

She half expected that Camron would stop her forward movement but found she was unencumbered and continued up to her room.

Entering her room she let out a soft frustrated scream, balling her fingers into a fist. She paced furiously back and forth cursing in several languages. Eyes flashing she was so mad she wanted to tear the hair from those bitches' heads.

They were being mean and unnecessarily cruel in their observations and she knew they were trying to goad her into an action that would upset Camron.

Lenore stood passively by watching her mistress with some amusement. She knew that M'lar had a lot of passion in her and she could loose control but she had never seen her this angry. It was refreshing to see her find her backbone and react to those catty females that were no better than some common whore or slut when their jealousy was being displayed.