The common room of the Winespring Inn had only a few people still eating breakfast. Mat was just finishing his eggs, bacon, and a roll with ewe's cheese. His men had already eaten and were sitting by the hearth, Olver with them. Tuon came down the stairs, sitting next to Mat on the bench.
Marin al'Vere greeted Tuon, asking what she wanted to for breakfast.
"I'll have an egg, and some milk, please," Tuon answered.
"That's all?" asked the innkeeper. "We need to put a little meat on your bones."
Tuon just shrugged. "I'll try." she said, smiling as she took Mat's last piece of bacon.
Abell Cauthon and Eldrin entered the common room, coming over to Mat's table. Mat noticed his soldiers were all staring at his sister. Olver, too. Mat looked at her with fresh eyes and scowled a little. She was pretty, very pretty. He would have to keep an eye on his men around her.
Tuon rose and curtsied. "Good morning, Master Cauthon, Eldrin."
Abell looked at her and grinned, shaking his head "You are part of our family now, Missy, the mother of my grandchild. You don't need to call me Master Cauthon. You can call me Abell, or even Father. Mat just calls me Da."
Tuon looked at him for a long while. She liked what she saw, a calm person with a certain intelligence. She smiled and nodded. "I think Father Abell will do. I like that. Thank you." She missed her father, even though she had not seen him much, before he died.
Abell added, "You don't need to curtsy, either. Unless you go up to the manor house to see the Lady Faile. She would like a curtsy, I reckon."
Tuon said honestly, "Good, since I am so bad at it."
Abell nodded, "That's the truth. Well, at least you tried."
She smiled. "I don't think I will be visiting the Lady Faile anytime soon."
Mat was studying his Da with Tuon. "Da, you are really excited about this grandchild, aren't you?"
Abell sat down, "Well, Son, I didn't think I would have any grandchildren for a long time. Bodewhin is off to the White Tower and Eldrin's too young. I didn't think you would settle down for quite a while yet. Maybe another ten years or so. This is a surprise, for sure. A pleasant one, that's the truth."
Mat's men and Olver approached. Mat stood and introduced them. "Da, 'Drin, these are some of my friends, my traveling companions. They are from all over. This is Musenge, Harnan, Jace, Symon and Flay. This is my Father, Abell Cauthon, and my sister Eldrin. My MUCH younger sister," he said with emphasis.
The named men all acknowledged Mat's father with a nod or hand shake. To Eldrin they bowed respectively, while she giggled shyly. Mat put his arm around Olver. "Da, this is Olver, we have been together for a long time. He is my number one man."
Olver beamed. "Lord Mat said you would show me how to milk a cow when we got here... I mean Mat said." he corrected quickly.
Abell grinned. "Son, we have lots of cows and they all need milking. You come around and I will sure show you how." He looked at the rest of the men, "Any of you others want to learn, just show up at that big stone barn back there." He pointed down the street, then looked at Mat, "Now son, what is it you wanted to show me?"
"Father Abell," Tuon said, "We brought you a gift, from our travels. Something you will like! In the stable."
"I like stables." he grinned. They went out back to the inn's stable yard. Jace entered the stable and came out a few minutes later, leading the young black stud. Jace kept sneaking looks at Eldrin. He was one of the younger soldiers in the Band and was popular with the girls, with his fair good looks. The colt he was leading was frisky, and almost dancing.
Abell whistled softly when he saw him. "That is a nice looking colt, Matrim. Where did you get him?" he asked.
"We picked him up near the Borderlands. I thought you would like him. We have been training him, but he is still rough. I think he will be fast, though. I didn't know you lost your other horses. You had a nice little herd."
Tuon whispered to Olver, who ran into the stable and soon brought out the young bay mare with the filly trotting by her side. "These are yours too, sir!" Olver said. "Aren't they great!"
"Nice and nicer!" Abell was overwhelmed, a few tears showing in the corners of his eyes. "Son, this is too much!"
Mat put his arm around his father's shoulder, drawing him aside. In a low voice, he said, "Da, I told you that I am a gambler. I can get all the gold I need with a few dice games. Plus, Tuon is what you would call wealthy. Very wealthy. Don't worry about us!"
Abell scratched his head. "Yeah, Your wife, she doesn't look like she's worked much. Wealthy, you say? How did this marriage come about, then?"
Mat replied, almost in a whisper, "Now isn't the time to talk about that." He grinned. "It is what it is."
Tuon came over and took Abell's hand. "Father Abell, we really want you to have these horses. The filly is a special one. Matrim rides the sire, he is a blooded horse from Seandar, very rare. The mare has great blood lines too, even though she isn't a large horse. Does Eldrin ride? She would be a nice mount for her or Mother Natti."
Abell nodded. "I see what you are saying. The girls did miss riding after the stock were taken. It would be good for them to ride again." He walked over to the mare and stroked her neck. She was calm as she looked back at him. "She is a pretty one."
He held out his hand to the little gray filly. She was getting used to people and walked right up to him, looking for a treat. Olver took a honey cake from his pocket and offered it to her. She took a bite and tossed her head up and down as she chewed. Abell laughed. "That one is spoiled, I think. She has good lines, though, and long legs. She has the look of speed."
Mat headed into the stable, "Da, I'll show you the sire. He's back here. You should take Dovienya for a gallop. He's got speed you've only dreamed of. He needs some exercise, too, I think."
Some of the village men had gathered around, watching the horses. One slapped Abell on the back. "It looks like you are back in the horse business, Abell."
Abell grinned and said, "I think you are right. It's the only business that counts, with me."
Mat brought out Dovienya after quickly saddling the tall, dappled stallion. The horse bared his teeth at the black colt, seeing a rival. Mat moved him away from the black, then handed the reins to his father. Abell looked up at the dapple and smiled widely. "Don't mind if I do take him for a run."
He mounted and swung Dovienya around in a tight circle. They crossed the Wagon bridge and Abell leaned forward, loosening the reins. He didn't even have to kick Dovienya, as the horse sprang into a gallop and they were gone.
Mat laughed. "Well, I think he liked the horses!" He gave Tuon a little squeeze and a kiss.
She smiled back. "He looked a lot like you when he took off. Are you ever going to get your horse back?"
"Oh, it will be a while, I think. " Mat replied with a grin.
Mat saw his mother approaching with a woman he did not recognize. She was a nice looking woman in her middle years, with light brown hair and deep brown eyes. She carried a large pouch. He put his arm around Tuon as he turned to face them.
Natti said, "Here you are Matrim. What did you with your father?"
"He went for a horse ride," Mat said with a smile. "He will be back in about a week, I think."
Natti looked at Tuon, "Tuon, this is Aby Reed, the midwife I was telling you about." She turned to Aby, "Aby, this is my son's wife, Tuon. We are all very excited about their baby."
Aby took Tuon's hand, "It is nice to meet you, Tuon. I can help you with your baby if you like. Is there somewhere we can talk for a while?"
Tuon thought for a minute, "We have a room here at the inn. Would that work for you?"
"That would be fine, Tuon. We will follow you inside." Mat led the way back into the inn and up to their room.
Natti asked Tuon, "Do you mind if I stay? I might be of some assistance."
Tuon nodded, "You are most welcome to stay."
Aby and Natti both looked pointedly at Mat. His mother said "Don't you have something else to do Matrim?"
Aby added, "The fathers usually disappear about now. They don't really want to be involved."
Mat shook his head. "I am fine staying here with Tuon. I will see her through this. I am concerned about the baby, too and I don't want anything bad to happen." he took Tuon's hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "It's up to you," he said to her.
Tuon looked at Mat and then back at the two women. "Matrim may stay." She pronounced, using her empress voice. She squeezed his hand. "Thank you," she whispered. They sat on the bed and the two older women took the window chairs.
Aby smiled at Tuon, "Well to start, how have you been feeling, dear? Besides tired, cranky and clumsy, that is."
Tuon said, "I have been very tired, not too cranky and a little nauseous at times."
"I see. Do you know when your baby is due? Or when you became pregnant, so we can figure it out?"
Mat said, "I am sure it was the end of Saven month, at the time of the new moon. I remember the dark sky in Ebou Dar."
Tuon said, "I think you are right, it was the new moon. A good omen for a new beginning." she squeezed his hand.
Aby pulled out a small notebook and looked at the dates, counting. "So, Tuon, you are over eight months along. No wonder you are tired! I need to check yours and the baby's health. Can you disrobe?"
Tuon nodded to Mat and he began to undo her buttons. Soon she was in her thin silk shift. Mat lifted it over her head, and she was in just her skin. Tuon was used to being dressed by her maids and was not bothered by being nude at all. Mat went to stand over by the wall, out of the way.
Aby looked at Natti, slightly puzzled by Tuon's lack of shyness. "Tuon, why don't you lay on the bed and I will listen to the heartbeat." She opened her pouch and took out a thin cone for listening. She felt Tuon's pulse first, counting to herself. Then she put the wide end of the cone on Tuon's pregnant belly and moved it around a little. She found the spot she was looking for and listened for a while.
Aby looked at Tuon, smiled and said, "The baby sounds fine, a nice healthy heartbeat. Now I need to check your hip bones." She felt the bones as best she could, then pushed Tuon's legs up and checked her hips again. Then she took a measuring string and went around Tuon's stomach. She had only a few more questions, "Have your breasts leaked any milk yet?" Tuon shook her head. "How about any back pain?" Tuon said "Just sore muscles, not real pains."
"Very good. You can get dressed now," Aby said as she wrote in her notebook.
Mat got Tuon's embroidered ivory robe and helped her into it. He gently patted her belly before fastening the belt. Mat protectively placed his arm around Tuon as they faced the midwife.
Natti had never seen this side of Matrim. She thought he was being a bit too protective of his wife and overly solicitous. He was almost treating Tuon like she was a queen or something. She was used to him never being serious about anything and being flippant around women. What was going on with him, anyway? This wasn't like Matrim at all.
Aby smiled and said "Well, do you want the good news?"
Tuon nodded, "Yes, please."
"The baby has a strong heartbeat and seems healthy." Aby said. "Also, I think you are a healthy girl, physically fit, even if you are a bit thin. I am concerned about your small size, but I think it should be all right, especially if the baby comes early. Your mother had many children?"
"Yes" Tuon said. "She had ten, only one did not survive infancy."
Aby nodded. "That is well. Natti, what size were Matrim and his sisters? Did you lose any children?"
Natti smiled. "They were on the smaller side, but grew quickly. All survived."
"Good. Tuon, you should do well. It will be a lot of work, harder than anything you have ever done before. I have some herbs and tea that can help. Since we still have some time, I would like you to eat six small meals every day, and drink three glasses of milk. You also need exercise. Walking will do." She smiled at Tuon, "Also, one of the better forms of exercise you can do is making love, as long as it is not to vigorous. It uses the same muscles, doesn't hurt the baby and might cause an early labor. So continue if you feel up to it."
Mat finally looked embarrassed and blushed. Tuon looked serious and nodded.
Aby finished "Well, I will see you again in a few days. Do you have any questions, Tuon?"
Tuon looked at Mat quickly and then turned to Aby and said "Yes, Mistress Reed, what happens, when the time comes? I really don't know." She sounded worried.
Natti laughed gently, "Tuon, Dear it's all right. Everyone gets here the same way."
Aby smiled, "What happens? Yes, I suppose you should know. Your baby wants to come out. He is living in a cushion of water. The first sign he is ready is when he drops to a low position. It will only be a few days once that happens. The next sign is when his water sac breaks. It can be a little messy. Then things really start to happen. You will start to have muscle contractions as your body moves him lower and the opening gets larger. This can takes a day or more, maybe less. Soon these contractions will come faster. Once they come less than every five minutes, that baby will be here soon. The baby will be moved into position and once he is set up right, you have to push him out. That is the hard part, but it doesn't last real long. The tricky part is to be well rested when this all starts, to save your energy for the last pushing."
She gave Tuon a hug. "Did that answer your question, dear?"
Tuon said "Yes, it helps me a lot. I'm not so worried, now."
Mat nodded. "You will do well, Tuon. You are a strong woman and very tough." His confidence boosted her some and she smiled happily.
Natti didn't see much toughness in Tuon. She thought Tuon was a pampered girl who didn't know how to work. She was a little worried how Tuon would ever run a household, especially with those long fingernails she wore.
Aby and Natti made to leave. Mat said "Ma wait, we brought you a gift. He went to one of the trunks and took out a medium sized box and handed it to her.
Natti sat down on the bed and unwrapped the gift. She gasped when she figured out it was a wall clock. "Matrim, Tuon, this is amazing. It looks like a little house in the woods."
Mat explained, "When the hour chimes, a little bird comes out and sings on the hour. You don't already have one do you?" He grinned.
"Light, no!" She said. "I have never had a clock. Matrim this is too much. How can you afford it?"
"Ma, please don't worry about the money. We have all we need, and I can always get more if I want."
Aby looked closely at Mat, "That must be nice. How lucky! Natti, you have always wanted a clock."
Natti set down the clock and gave Matrim a hug. She turned to Tuon and gave her a hug, too. "Thank you dear, you are both sweet. We will talk about this extravagance later."
Natti and Aby said their good byes and left, Natti carefully carrying her new clock.
Tuon let out a sigh and said, "Well I think that went well. I learned a lot. I did forget to ask her about horseback riding, though." Her eyes twinkled.
"You're bad, Tuon." Mat grinned. "Light! What am I going to do with you?"
Tuon just shrugged.
Mat reached for the door, "I am going down to check and see if my Da is back from his horse ride yet. Are you going to stay here?"
"I think I will rest here for a while, as Aby said I should. But... she also said I should exercise more, too." Tuon smiled at Mat, blinking her long lashes. "I think I should exercise first, though. What do you think?"
Mat grinned and went to the door and turned the key, "That's always a good idea." He scooped her up, crossed the room and they fell onto the bed, laughing.