Arrival

Screams lit up the air around Ramza's camp, one morning. Everyone was holding their ears, and refusing to go near the clinic. Malak, having been injured in another training exercise after trying to get on his feet too soon, was holding his ears, regretting that he couldn't just run and hide like the others. The only two who were in more pain than he, were Sage and Leon. Oh, and Balmafula, but for a different reason, she didn't have to hear her shrieks in the same way that the others did.

At last, the baby was on its way. The twenty seventh of August, Bal had awoken feeling like she was being clawed at from the inside. The pain was so great, that she screamed. Her cries had awaken Orlandu, who instantly got his daughter-in-law over to Sage and Leon's clinic. The two were up early, tending to Malak's wounds when he entered. Instantly, they knew what it was. Of course, all of the yelling had awaken the whole camp, and people were running into town just to get away. They all would rather be seen and have to fight than stay here and listen to the noise.

* * *

"Finally," muttered Leon, "Twelve hours, this was murder. I hope Reis can get this done and over with in a shorter time. I'm a genius healer, but I'm only human. I can't take all of that screaming." He was lying down on a pallet, holding his head in pain. On any other occasion, Sage would be happy to have seen Leon be somewhat humble, but she too was lying down and trying to calm her headache.

Balmafula, on the other hand, was feeling much better. She held her infant son in her arms, and smiled. He had her eyes, that much was certain. Would he look like his father in any way, though? But that didn't matter to her. No matter what, the boy would be named for his dad, Olan Durai JR.

"Can't you guys find a maternity ward or something? You know, so the other injured people don't have to be in close proximity to all of your birthing. I felt as if my eardrums were going to pop while you were working. Have some respect for others," Malak complained. Yup, he's back to his old self.

* * *

Meliadoul, Agrias, Tess, and Margurita were sitting at the bar, trying to drown out their still spinning heads. The three older women had some wine, while Margurita was drinking her water. None of them ever wanted to hear something so horrid again, it almost made them not to want children at all. But they changed their minds when they saw a woman holding her toddler, while walking through town. A smile was on the woman's face, a smile that calmed the four warriors' hearts.

Meliadoul told them, "One of these days, we're all going to go through that too. I just wonder, how will we ever find time for such things? I always thought I would never be able to, you know, I devote my time to my training and all. But since Reis can do it, and is willing to go back into the fight after the baby is born, then I can do it too. After all, only five fight at a time, the others can take care of my child if both my husband and I are on the battlefield. We just have to rotate who fights, like we usually do."

Tess smiled. "I agree, Tyler and I so want to have a baby some day. They're just so cute when they're that small, with their little hands, and little feet, and they make all of those cute little baby sounds. Oh, I just can't wait to have a child of my own. We're planning to get married soon, after we deal with the problems concerning Lucavi. Can't take time out from training with all that's going on."

"Yeah, kids are cute," stated Margurita, "When they're babies. But they cry all of the time, and spit up, and won't let you sleep. Then, they grow up and begin resisting authority, annoying their parents, and tormenting their other siblings. Not a pretty sight if you ask me."


"How can you say that? Kids are really nice Margurita. You're always so pessimistic, and you don't trust anyone. Did something happen to you in your childhood?" inquired Tess.

Margurita replied, "Yes, something did happen. I had younger siblings. They were all terrors. Pulling my hair, hiding my things, biting my fingers, whacking me with sticks. It got so bad, my father wouldn't let me even take my practice sword into the house, I had to leave it outside. But then they found that too, and Dad told me to hide it. I had to throw it under my bed, and it got all dusty."

Tess was about to say something, tell about how her siblings had been no problem at all. But Agrias stepped in, not wanting there to be a fight. "You two can debate children after we get back to the camp. Honestly, sometimes I think you two are no better than children. After all, you guys never want to stop fighting. It's a wonder you're such good friends despite all of this."

The duo stopped their bickering. Agrias wasn't the type of person they wanted to mess with. Nor Meliadoul, who nodded her head in agreement with her friend. Neither of them wanted any fighting on this day, it had already been hectic enough without all of the commotion. So the four walked back to the place where they'd made camp, relieved that the screaming had stopped.

* * *

Little Olan was the center of attention that evening. Everyone wanted to see the baby. Some people, like Margurita and Tess, had seen babies before, with their younger siblings. Ramza and Meliadoul, although they had people younger than them in the household, barely could remember it, as they were very young when it had happened. And Alma and Rafa only saw babies from afar, as there was no one younger than them in the household.

A feast of congratulations was held, and everyone drank to the health of the new baby and his mother. The conversation about babies and baby names started around the table. Each person began to talk about what they would name their child, if it was a boy and if it was a girl.

It was late when the group went to bed that night. Ramza lay awake thinking, worrying that their peace would be shattered once more. He knew Vormav was no quitter, he would send his men to attack the team until he had attained victory. Even if he had to come and do it himself. The young man began to wonder, how would they be able to win this time, if Lucavi learned some new tricks?

- - - -

Younger sister, school assembly, six classes of little sixth graders yelling. Not something I enjoys. I hate loud noises. Has to wear earplugs when casting spells.