Chapter 12
Author's note: I don't know if female turtles have a cervix. I was having trouble finding this information. And as most egg laying animals do not, from what I have gathered. I am assuming turtles don't either. However, my terapinians are ovoviviparous. Meaning their eggs hatch inside and then they give live birth. So, with that being said. I am giving them a cervix as well.
The sun had crested and the first rays of light, that were peeking through the wisping clouds, were dancing on the waters of the cove and every droplet left behind by the rain.
Donatello observed the rolling, dewy fields through the window of the coach. He had not been able to take it in the night before, as the rain and darkness had prevented it.
Min sat across from him watching as he shifted from one side of the coach to the other giving each window a turn. Her father was going to be most unhappy with her. One; for going to Water gate without an escort, two; for allowing Leonardo's brother to follow her, also without an escort. And Three; for missing breakfast. But what was she supposed to do? This task had been weeks in work and waiting. And now the woman had run out of patience. Min did not wish for her to find another more dangerous means to accomplishing the task at hand.
"You look upset."
Min looked up at Donatello. "I am not thrilled about what I have to do today. It isn't why I took to studying medicine."
More than one question came to mind but Donatello started with. "Why did you?"
"I like knowing the why and how. I started reading about how the body works. I needed to understand my own and the ways it was changing. I soon realized how in-depth it all is and how intricately we are stitched together. It all goes wrong so easily." She glanced out of the window to view the approaching docks then looked back to Donatello. "My sister, Emry, had showed an interest in plants. It had started out as just pretty flowers. But when I showed her books of plants that could help people, heal people, or end their suffering… she decided to grow as many as she could. And together we started my pharmacy." Min smiled then. "I wish I could say I started out to help people… but I suppose that isn't true. I started out to help myself. Then realized I could help others, and so I do."
Donatello nodded. "I think that's how most people start out. With self-serving interests or intentions. But everything ripples out like a stone thrown in a pond." He smiled as he recalled the fraise stated to him by his sensi and father some years ago.
"Yes. I suppose they do. As an engineer you have not been to many births, have you?"
"As an engineer and being of a clan of mostly men." He answered with a halfhearted chuckle.
Min raised an eye ridge. "This may prove traumatic. Are you certain you wish to assist? I will not be able to aid you if it proves too much."
Donatello's expression was confused, then thoughtful. "It is a birth we are assisting with, correct? I am here to be helpful. I won't need your aid."
Min nodded, and the coach came to a stop. "Stay close. I would hate to lose you to temptation." With that she opened the door and stepped from the coach.
"Temptation?" Donnie muttered to himself before following Min.
They approached a building with no sign in front. It was taller and wider than the other buildings in the area, suggesting its importance, though the white paint was old and chipping. Bright red curtains hung in the windows. A couple of women dressed in silky dresses stood at the doors with wide smiles and soft voices as they welcomed Donatello and Min inside.
Suddenly Donatello found himself stopping short. The barrage of scantily clad women, mammal and reptile alike, was not what he had expected. And he found himself tucking his tail tightly against his body in an attempt to maintain some form of control of it and the genitalia it housed.
A lovely young terapinian woman, clad in a see through whisp of fabric, smiled all to knowingly at him as she passed. He swallowed hard.
"Donatello."
Min's voice brought his attention snapping back at her.
"Yes?" He practically squeaked. Then cleared his throat then repeated, "Yes?"
Min spared the passing woman a generally uninterested glance then looked at Donatello. "Are you coming?"
A blush rose in Donatello's cheeks. "No!"
Min raised and eye ridge. "If you find yourself suddenly otherwise occupied…"
"Wait… what…no…" Don sputtered. "I mean…"
Min's demeaner became impatient. Her expression suddenly went blank and she turned and followed the madam toward the back of the hall. Donatello quickly followed.
He caught up to her, desperately ignoring the sounds that came from some of the rooms, and spared her glance. And to his dismay her expression was still blank. "You didn't exactly warn me."
Min stopped short, just outside the back door of the brothel. Don having to grab the door frame to keep from toppling over her. "So, your lack of self-control is my fault?"
"What? No… t-that's not what…"
"Then what did you mean? Speak plainly sir. I am busy."
Donatello frowned at her then. "I just mean, a heads up would have been nice. I wouldn't have been caught so off guard. And I can most certainly control myself."
"I suppose we will see." She then turned to followed the madam to what looked like no more than a shed.
Donatello had watched Min walk away for a moment, admiring her. She was strait forward, honest, and didn't waste time mincing words… she probably had a tendency to unintentionally hurt feelings with her bluntness. Smiling he trailed after her to the shed.
The room was small and dark. There was a small hearth with a kettle warming, a bed, and a table with a stool. On the stool a very aggravated looking terapinian woman sat. She narrowed her eyes at Min.
"I have been taking that tincture for weeks now. The most I have to show for it is an upset stomach." The woman snapped.
"It will have been ripening your cervix, Julia. I will check to be sure you are ready and then I will be giving you a higher dose of the tincture to put you into labor." Min explained.
"I could have simply taken a higher dose?" Julia griped.
"No." Min answered. "Too much too fast and you could cause yourself harm, illness or even death. And It would have been a hard laboring."
"Oh? Is the laboring to be easy then." The woman's words were dripping with sarcasm.
"Trust me it was better this way. Come, lay on the bed. We will check if you are ready."
After washing his hands in a bowl of hot water with Min, Donatello busied himself with setting out the tinctures, linens, and other things from Min's satchel and basket. While Min checked their patient and asked questions about the mother's health of late.
Then she appeared next to Donatello with a cup. "Take the raspberry leaves and make a hot infusion, please. We want to give it time to steep." She then took the small bottle of cohosh and went to Julia's side.
Don placed the Raspberry leaves in a cup and poured hot water over them passively watching Min give Julia a carefully measured dose of the tincture.
"Now what." Julia asked after making a face at the flavor of the tincture.
"We wait." Min answered. "The contractions should start with in the hour. If not, we will consider if another dose is necessary. In the mean time I suggest you walk around the court yard. It will help move things along."
The four stepped out into the morning sun. The madam began walking with Julia and Min sat on the cobbles in front of the shed, a note book in her ink-stained hands.
Donatello sat down beside her. "There are no terapinian woman where I am from." This statement earned him a surprised look from Min. "I have so many questions."
Min's surprise slid from her face. "I believe I have answers."
Raphael stormed down yet another hall in the maze of a building, brooding. Why was he chastised and made to apologize? He didn't do anything wrong. It's not his fault the kid was so sensitive. Maybe someone should take the time to teach her how to sit still so she wasn't spilling stuff all over.
"Crazy morning." Someone stated from a crossing hall.
Raph turned to see who was addressing him. "Oh, hey Tonyee." Raph approached the young man. "We seem to be pissing off people left and right."
"Better than being pissed on."
Raph smiled, 'at least some things don't change.' "Don't suppose you know a good place to go and blow off some steam?"
Tonyee nodded. "I might know a place or two."
"Sweet, let's go before I hit the wrong person or break something. Like this idiot that keeps following me." Raph glared back at a literal, mouse of a man who shifted nervously but did not leave.
Tonyee chuckled. "That is Izra, He is your escort for the time. Usually, he works in the kitchens."
Raph rolled his eyes. "I don't need no damn escort."
"If you wish to spend time with my sisters you do." Tonyee stated as he led the way to the main hall. "Propriety and all that."
"Right." Raph grumbled as he looked back and the trembling mouse that scurried to keep up. "Not sure what he's going to do about anything."
"He is quite quick." Tonyee Motioned to some servants for a couple of horses to be brought to them. "Are we thinking a few drinks to calm the nerves or the training grounds? You did mention wanting to hit things."
Raph frowned as three horses were brought led from the stable and saddled. He did not like horses and truly did not understand the appeal at all. "I definitely want to hit things."
Rayen winced as small rock bounced off her shell with a thick "Thonk" sound. She glared back at the men that jeered and bellowed at her sister and herself.
They had not exactly been welcomed into the men's training grounds. They had however walked in as if their father funded the place. I mean, they had that going for them on this little venture, right?
They had walked right up to the archery range and started firing arrows as if they just belonged there. And when the first of the guard confronted them by grabbing Lyra's arm, she hit him. Square in the nose. Blood had gushed forth staining the cat's fur and eliciting a yowl as he stumbled backwards.
It did not take long for them to draw a crowd of guards and only a few well-placed strikes and kicks to faces and groins were needed to keep the men at a distance. But now they hurled cruel words and rocks.
"Let them make asses of themselves. They are not why we are here." Lyra stated as she drew her bow and aimed at the painted, straw, and wood target, loosing her arrow as a rock struck her shoulder throwing off her aim and leaving a small cut. She ignored it and shot another arrow at the target.
Rayen however did not. She glared back the men. "You bunch of bastards. You act as though we have not road next to you protecting this town."
"Go back to your own training ground, you do not belong here!" one of the men yelled.
"Make us." Rayen chalenged. "I have lost to no man as of yet. I will not lose to the lot of you."
"I recall you loosing to one."
Rayen stilled at the of the voice that had come from the direction of the barracks to the other side of Lyra.
Lyra scowled at the man that had gained so much despite the suffering he had caused her sister. "Jayden." She said through clenched teeth.
"You will salute and refer to me as"
"Nothing." Lyra spit out. "As you have done nothing for us despite your position and the responsibilities there of."
The unimpressive man gave a crooked toothed smile and chuckled, "Always so much venom from you." He turned to the handful of men that had been jeering and continued, "Beat her and send the bitch and the hoar on their way."
The men moved in, circling the women. The women drew their swords.
"You would draw your swards against the guard?" Jaden mocked. "That's grounds for disbandment. You are making this easy for once."
He was right. They could not take all these men alone.
Rayen watched her sister as defiance and rage flowed off of her, always trying to be the protector. Not this time. It was time for her to protect Lyra from the beating to come and the berating of their father.
"You bastard!" Rayen snapped at jaden. "You're no more than a coward that stands behind others and has to get a woman drunk in order to defeat her. You are weak and do not deserve your rank."
Jayden's eyes narrowed. "You think you could change anything sober?" He began pushing his way through the circle of men, who had stopped their advance to watch. Jaden stopped in front of Rayen. "You were easy then and you would be easy now. Do you know why?" Said as he reached out to stroke the scar, he had given her.
"Don't you touch her!" Lyra commanded. Her advance was halted with a quick and unexpected, powerful back hand from Jaden. Instinctively she cupped her cheek in surprise and pain.
Rayen's arm's wrapping around her sister to steady her. "This is not your fight, Lyra. This one is mine."
Lyra looked up at her sister. "But…"
"Are you just gunna stand there or are you gunna kick his ass?"
The entire group turned to look at the muscley mountain of a turtle that dwarfed the lord's son, who stood next to him with a gafaw on his face. A red strip of cloth around his neck whipping in the salty ocean breeze. "Or you just gunna let this bastard act like a dick?"
Jaylen blinked his way through the golden glare of the visitor, "I'm sorry, who are you?"
Raph gave a small shrug. "Gunna be husband to one of 'em"
Jayden laughed outwardly then. "Which one? The Bitch or the hoar?"
That was it. Rayen had had enough. Years of living with what this man had done to her, years of watching him rise in rank and power despite his arrogance and deviant behavior, and now he belittles her sister before a man that may call her wife? No more.
She moved quickly, pushing her sister over as she went, least she follow. Rayen hit Jaden's middle with such force you could have heard the air get pushed from him if it weren't for the thunderous crack of their shells striking.
He hit the ground with thud and before he could gasp his next breath Rayen was slamming her fists into his face.
Lyra righted herself and picked up her sister's sword, which had been dropped before the impromptu tackle, and moved to help her sister. She was grabbed about the waist and pulled back, however. She struggled in the mans unyielding grip for a moment.
"Easy, short stack. She's got this." Raphael said as he released Lyra.
Lyra looked at him, confused as to how he had gotten to her so fast. His brother had surprised her with his speed as well. And as devilishly handsome as he was, she much preferred Leo's kind eyes blue eyes, and soft voice to Raphael's gravely one… she shook her head at her sudden and unexpected mental wonderings. Turning to her sister who had been struck by Jayden and was now quickly finding her feet.
"Eat dirt you cowardly bastard!" Rayen yelled she kicked a large dirt clod into, Jaylen's bleeding face.
Jayden attempted to block the dirt clod but upon hitting his arm it exploded, raining dirt and pebbles into his face. He didn't see the next strike coming. A solid hard kick to the gut. Even with a plastron it hurt and knocked him back.
"I like her." Raph stated. "What was her name?"
"That's Rayen. And next to you is Lyra."
"s'up." Raphael muttered as he winced at a hard hit Rayen took, "Ya, get him!" He encouraged when she countered.
"This is Raphael." Tonyee told lyra as he motioned to the collection of knotted muscle beside him. "Why is she fighting Jayden anyway? I thought she was to avoid him."
A wave of fury washed over Lyra again and she turned on her brother. "Because He is a the bastard that stole her honor, and stopped us from using these training grounds."
"You have your own training grounds." Tonyee offered.
"They are shit, Tonyee." Lyra turned to the fight. "Shove your fist down his through, Rayen."
"That's it, block those hay makers!" Raphael encouraged. "What do you mean 'stole her honor'?"
Rayen blocked Jayden's next couple of blows and gave him a swift kick to the leg.
Growling Jayden took a quick step back. "You should just lay down and take like a hoar is supposed to."
Raph looked at Lyra as realization his him. "He forced her?"
Lyra didn't look at him as she gave a curt nod. A worried expression suddenly replacing her anger.
Raphael looked back to find the Jayden Had managed to get Rayen in a head lock and was squeezing tight.
Rayan struggled against him desperately.
"That's right, bitch, choke." Jayden whispered.
Rayen fought back her tears of bitterness, hate, and defeat. How was he beating her? he wasn't even that good of a fighter. Jayden jammed his knee into the back of her own causing her fall the ground hard. Her knees grinding into the gravel with her struggle.
"Come on Ray!" Raph shouted. "Rip his damn tail off!"
Lyra decided to follow Raphael's lead and began shouting encouragements as well. Rayen could still turn this around, it isn't easy to strangle a turtle after all.
She didn't follow the advice exactly. But she did find get her hand under Jayden's jaw and managed to push up as hard as she could. Forcing him to have to pull back loosening his arm around her neck. She then slammed her elbow into his leg as hard as she could. This set him off balance and allowed her to role free of him. Then as he came at her again, she kicked her foot out and up, meeting with his jaw. He was down. She had won.
Before she knew it Raphael was holding arm above her head. And shouting "And the winner is, Ray! With a kick to the face!"
Raylyn couldn't help the deem blush that flushed over her bruised face, as she looked up at him a crooked smile complimenting those deep golden eyes. A deep scar cracking its way through the side of his upper lip. She was so entranced by him she didn't see it coming. The cowardly sucker punch that came in over her shoulder.
Raphael caught her before she hit ground. Lyra and Tonyee also quickly coming to her aid.
"You lost, Jayden. That was uncalled for." Tonyee yelled at the man.
"Enjoy your hoar." Jayden seethed in Raphael's direction, then cocked a sly grin. "Tell me how long do you think a good tenderizing lasts? It's been a few years…"
Raph stood and faced Jaylen.
"I could break her in for you ag… gag… choke." Jayden was cut short by Raph's large hand wrapping around his throat.
"You really otta learn when to shut the hell up." Raph growled. Lifting Jaylen off the ground. "If I ever here you call her that again I am going to rip your tongue out and shove it up your ass. Am I clear?"
Jaylen gurgled in response.
The circle of guards a little unsure if they should attack the visitor or not as they did not want to take on the shame of Jaylen's cowardly attack. Tonyee, Lyra, and Rayen blinked up at the suspended man.
Raphael threw him to the ground and placed his foot firmly between Jaylen's shoulder blades. "Now apologize."
Rayen's astonished gaze shifted from Raphael to Jayden.
"Eat shit." Jaydin spat out.
Raphael responded by putting more pressure on jayden's upper back. His shell starting to make soft cracking sounds.
"Alright." Jayden groaned. "I'm sorry."
Raph continued to lay more pressure on him. "For…"
"for… gah… the sucker punch."
"I don't give a shit about the sucker punch." Rayen hissed through bleeding lips.
"Better pick something else." Raph pushed down harder gaining a series of louder cracks and yelp of pain from the man.
"Everything." Jayden wheezed. "For tricking you… for …hurting you…everything."
Rayen glared at him. She knew he didn't mean it. She knew he only said what he hoped would stop the mountain stepping on him.
"If we were in my world, I'd kill him." Raph said just above a whisper.
Rayen stood. Whipped the blood from nose and mouth and said, "But we are not there. We are in the real world and so must let the scum live. I will not have you punished for the fight we started."
Raphael nodded and stepped off of Jayden. "Come on let's get some rags or something to stop the bleeding. You take a hit like a boss, you know that."
Rayen smiled cause for the first time in a long time she felt free. Like she had thrown off some weight from her shoulders. She had held that bastard's life in her hands, weighed her power against the helpless. And found she was nothing like him. "You know what I would really like." She said as she slung an arm around her sister."
"What?" Lyra asked, perplexed at her sister's bloody grin.
"I would like a beer."
Tonyee and Raphael laughed.
"Now you're speaking my language." Raph rumbled. "Come on shaky." He motioned for his mouse escort to follow. "I'll buy you one too."
