~Milly~
The screams were making Comjul uneasy. He didn't say as much, but I could tell by the way he set his jaw. I took the time to brush my knuckles along his jaw as I hurried back and forth from the stove to bring the healer more clean hot water and wash the rags already bloodied.
Jordis wasn't having any easy time with this child. Her mother was in the bedroom, comforting her when the healer pulled me aside in the kitchen.
"I am old, I am weary. Your mistress needs more help than I can provide." She admitted, sinking into one of the chairs by the fire.
"What kin I do t'help?" I asked in alarm.
"You'll have to fetch my old apprentice. She lives outside the gates, but not far. Her name is Mazeloth. She left my service months ago, but if you can get her to come here, she will be able to help."
I was going to tell this old woman that I didn't want to go on some goose chase after some healers apprentice when Jordis let out a shriek that didn't even sound human. Comjul skittered into the room to look at me with wide eyes. I heaved a sigh.
"We'll find this apprentice of yers. How'll I know her?" I asked, fastening my riding cloak.
The old woman rose and started to hobble towards Jordis. "There aren't many Orc women in Solitude child, she'll be easy to find. I'll work on keeping her pain managed. You must hurry if you hope to save them both."
I was out the door a few seconds later, running towards the gate. Comjul was right behind me. The guard didn't say anything when we ran past him. He was probably used to anyone in Arryn's household running amuck.
At the stables, I stopped and asked Horm if he had seen any orc healers in the area.
"Orc healer? I don't reckon I've ever seen any Orc healers 't all." He said after a moment. "Ders an orc not too far into the woods but she ain't no healer. She's always about scrounging for plants and the like." Horm informed us, scratching at his ear.
"Which direction?" Comjul asked.
"There's a shack over der. Dunno if she lives in it. Neva knocked." Horm supplied, less than helpfully. He was pointing north though, so that's where we rushed.
It didn't take us long to find the shack. It was a simple building. Comjul startled me by letting out a yell. I scarcely had time to glare at him before he did it again.
"Mazeloth!" He bellowed.
"Comjul!" I hissed.
"The stable boy thinks she's a witch of sorts and not a nice one. I'd rather not surprise her." He explained in a low voice.
While we were discussing that, I got the strangest feeling on the back of my neck. Like little pinpricks along my spine. I whipped around and let out a soft yelp of surprise. "Oh!" I gasped.
Standing behind me was a very large Orc woman. I could tell she had even caught Comjul off guard.
Horm had been right. She certainly didn't look like a healer. She was almost as big as Comjul, her skin a very deep green. Dark hair was pulled into an intricate braided bun. Black and red war paint swirled down from her forehead, down past her eyes and to her cheeks. It only highlighted her onyx black eyes. She wore black leather armor and had an intricately carved Warhammer on her back. Her tusks gave her mouth a very severe look, but I suspected even without them, she'd look very serious.
"Mazeloth?" I asked hopefully.
"Two Nords have come to seek out the witch in the wood?" She asked, her voice surprisingly melodic. I had expected her to sound harsher. "What are you seeking Nords?"
"You. We require your assistance, immediately." Comjul replied. "Our friend is having her baby and it's not going well. Your former master said to look for you." I nodded my agreement.
Mazeloth quirked an eyebrow. "I am not a midwife. Drusella knows that." The large Orc shook her head and walked towards her shack."
"Please!" I cried out. "D'not leave! She needs you!"
"I'm not leaving, I'm gathering my kit." She sighed. "You're excitable, even for a Nord."
In short order, we were all rushing back to Proudspire Manor. When we entered, we were greeted by more unnatural screams. Mazeloth lost no time. She took the stairs two at a time to access the scene before her.
Jordis was writhing amongst the pillows, clearly in agony. Arryn was by her side looking frantic as the old crone of a healer did her best.
"Move." She commanded to Drusella. The old woman complied, looking relieved. She put her hand on Jordis, who seemed to calm down. The Orc started to mumble things under her breath and light spread from her hands across Jordis. The color in her face started to even out, along with her breathing.
"Is she asleep?" Arryn asked incredulously.
"That's the preferable state for what happens next." She said simply, pulling things from her leather satchel.
"What happens next?" Arryn asked apprehensively. He ran a hand through his red hair, looking harried.
"Old woman, did you not tell them why you called for me?" She asked dryly.
"I didn't want to alarm them." The old woman admitted, smoothing back the wispy white hairs that had escaped her bun. "Your bedside manner is still terrible."
"Hmph" Mazeloth grunted. "Your wife is dying." She told Arryn flatly.
"What?" I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth.
"What can I do?" Arryn asked quietly.
The intimidating woman before him raised an eyebrow. "Remarry?" She suggested flatly.
"Maizie!" Drusella scolded. The Orc rolled her eyes.
"I put her to sleep. It will last about an hour. I'm guessing the dartwing didn't work?" She asked. The old woman shook her head. "I can save the child and try to save her. I'm no midwife, but I will try."
The Dragonborn looked terrified. I had never seen him look so afraid. "What will you do?" He asked uneasily.
"I will take these potions I have prepared and give them to your wife as she sleeps. Then I will take this knife and cut the baby from her belly." She replied evenly, holding up a tiny metal blade.
"You're not cutting my daughter apart!" Gwenna snarled from the doorway. "What sort of Witchery is this?"
Mazeloth snorted. "Very well. She will awaken within the hour. Say your goodbyes." She dismissed, putting her items back into her satchel.
"Please don't leave. She needs you." Sissel slipped into the room.
The large woman rested her eyes on the slight girl and grinned. Her tusks made her look alarming as she did so. "Well hello little witch." She said with a small laugh. "This your ma?"
"Her name is Jordis. She took me in and taught me everything I know." Sissel affirmed. "We all love her and need her. Please don't leave."
"I'll help. But I need space to do my work. All of you will need to disperse." Mazeloth agreed.
"I can hel-" I began, but she cut me off with a wave of her hand.
"I do not require help. Gather the other Nords and let me try to save this woman and her unborn." She commanded. Gwenna looked ready to argue until Sissel took her hand. We all piled down the stairs, uneasy and nervous.
If I thought all the screaming was bad, the silence was worse. We all just stared at one another. Gwenna was the first to breath the stifling quiet.
"I'll never forgive you if that butcher kills my daughter." She told Arryn quietly.
"Either will I." Arryn agreed.
That was left hanging in the air until we heard clomping footsteps. We all turned to the door, holding our breath. Mazeloth stepped into the doorway, looking tired. Her warpaint was smeared, her hair was starting to escape the beautiful braided bun. She looked at Arryn and sighed.
"It's done. I can do no more." She declared to the silent room.