Childbirth Recollections
Chapter 2: What Could Go wrong?
Neal looked down at Kel, worry in his eyes. The baby wasn't due for almost a week. Why, then, was she in so much pain? He reached out to her with his Gift. Oh no. That is so not good. Not only had the baby decided to be born early, its kicking had ruptured her womb. If she wasn't healed soon, Kel would bleed to death. And this was beyond his training.
"Alanna! Get here quick!" Neal roared. Kel's eyes rolled back into her head, and Neal realised that she was no longer conscious.
Alanna the Lioness arrived at a run. It took her only a second to asses the situation. Then she was ordering nearby guests to bring her mages kit, hot water, towels and Illane. Together, she and Neal waited for Illane to arrive, which she did moments later, coming at a run, her silver hair escaping its pins to fly behind her.
Alanna asked if there were a private room nearby that they could use. Illane pointed it out, and several knights offered their assistance in carrying Kel.
"No," Alanna ordered. "We can't move her. It's unsafe; she's lost too much blood."
"But we can't just leave her here!" protested Neal.
"You of all people should know how we're going to move her, Neal. We did it often enough when you were a squire."
"But that was eight years ago! How could I-- Oh." Realisation dawned on Neal's face. "But we're going to need help," he pointed out.
"Listen up!" Alanna's voice carried across the crowd of gathering guests. "Anyone who has the Gift, come here quick. Everyone else, you need to back off. We need to give Kel some air. The child's decided to come early."
Pretty soon, Alanna had a squad of five or so mages in front of her. Maybe twenty more were nearby, waiting to see if they were needed. Slowly, gently, the mages wove a stretcher of magic under Kel and moved her into the room that Illane had indicated. Illane herself held the door open. Once Kel's limp form was placed on the bed, Alanna shooed the mages out, and had someone send a runner for the village midwife. Another runner was to alert Kel's husband, who was still to arrive at Mindelan.
Alanna closed and locked the door. It was time to do some serious healing, and for that, she needed no interruptions. Being distracted at this point would be fatal for both Kel and the baby. With a quick prayer to the Goddess, Alanna got to work. Neal followed with a sigh. Surely the baby could have waited until he'd finished his custard pie?
Outside, people were talking. Some were wondering whether it would be a girl or a boy. Others suggested names. Most had their heads bowed in silent prayer. Sergent Domitan wasn't worried. While he still loved Kel, he knew that she was happier with her husband. Besides, she had two of the best healers he knew in there looking after her, even if one of them was Sir Meathead. Nothing could go seriously wrong. Could it?