Childbirth Recollections

Chapter 10: Beginning and End–the Circle Turns

Previously:

The midwife had arrived at Mindelan. By some freak chance, she had brought vervain with her. As she was admitted into the healing room, Alanna discovered that she had no healing power. That meant that it was up to Alanna herself and Neal to save Keladry, if it could be done at all.

Behind her, Neal's eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he collapsed from over exertion and exhaustion, as a result of having nothing to eat for twelve hours and using almost all his magic. Having finished his custard tart would have made all the difference.

Alanna hadn't noticed. She threw the vervain into the fire. The flames turned violet, and the Goddess's voice emitted from them.

'There is only one way to save Keladry of Mindelan and Kennan—'

The story continues:

Alanna had finished listening to the Goddess' instructions. She turned around, and spotted Neal on the floor. She smiled a grim smile. He couldn't stop her now.

The village midwife left the healing room. The Lioness had had a conversation with the fire. At times it was as if she were on the verge of pleading with the fire. These nobles were all crazy.

Kyprioth appeared next to George.

'George, this is urgent.'

'What is it? Have you spoken to the Goddess?'

'My beloved sister? Yes. There's one way to save Keladry and her girl-child. She's speaking to Alanna now, telling her how. But George, you're not going to like it—'

Kyprioth gave up. George had rushed off to spread the news Kel was going to survive. Everyone was cheering up. They would be happy in half an hour's time. Not when they found out the price of Kel's life, and that of her daughter. With a sigh, he settled down to watch. For once he couldn't concentrate on a trick. His sister's voice kept echoing in his head.

'There is only one way to save Keladry of Mindelan and Kennan and her girl-child—'

Dom looked into the tear-stained face of the small boy next to him, and took a deep breath. This boy needed comforting more than he himself did. Alessandro was about to lose his mother, his home, his family and his emotional security. Again. There are only so many times a child can go through that. No child should have to bury his mother. Especially not twice. Thrice, if you counted his grandmother, who was like a mother to him anyway.

The sound of footsteps came from the stairs, and Merric bowled through the open door.

'Dom! She's going to be okay! A god just told George! She and the baby are going to live! It's a girl! A girl! Kel's having a baby girl!'

The three of them did a little jig, though Dom's heart was still heavy with sorrow at his lost love, yet strangely elated that she would still be alive.

A jolt of violet sparks woke Neal. He looked up. Alanna's face was grave, a grim smile set on it.

'Neal, there's something I need you to do for me.'

Cleon jumped from the back of his horse and ran into the courtyard. People were laughing and rejoicing. Owen came over to tell him the good news. Cleon sagged with relief and went to wait by the door of the healing room with Illane, where they discussed names fir the baby.

'No, Alanna, you can't do this!' Neal was obviously much stressed. 'You just can't! You're needed here!'

George suddenly realised that Kyprioth hadn't finished talking to him when he'd rushed off. When he found Kyprioth, the god said 'I wondered when you were going to come back.'

'There's more to it, isn't there?'

'Yes.'

'Tell me.'

'You're not going to like it.'

'Tell me.'

'Our cousin the Black God is owed a soul. For both Keladry and her daughter to live, there has to be another to take their place.'

'Alanna,' George breathed. It was not a question, but Kyprioth answered anyway.

'Yes.'

'No!'

George's shout echoed across the courtyard. Conversations froze as everyone turned to face George. 'Alanna!' he roared, running towards the healing room, the king at his heels.

'Tell them goodbye from me, Neal,' Alanna's voice was quiet.

Neal was too weak to move to stop her.

She turned to Kel, and placed a hand above her heart, and did the same thing on herself. As the switch started, the door burst open. Alanna turned. There was George, framed in the doorway, and running towards her, King Jonathan right behind him.

'Lass! No!'

It was too late. The switch had already taken place. Alanna crumpled to the ground, all colour gone her last view of the world the love of her life rushing towards her.

'Alanna.' The word came out as a dry sob. 'Alanna, Alanna, Alanna, Alanna, Alanna.' It became almost a mantra. 'Alannaalannaalannaalanaalannaalannaalannaalanna…'

As Alanna's body was laid out straight, Kel began to stir, and the baby girl appeared at her side, surrounded by violet fire. Those looking at her gasped. Her eyes were the deepest violet. Her name was obvious. A creature as beautiful as her had to be called Alanna.

At baby Alanna's naming ceremony a translucent white-robed figure was seen standing next to baron George of Pirates' Swoop. The figure had copper coloured hair and violet eyes. It leaned over baby Alanna's cot and kissed her on the right cheek. Kel blinked, and the woman was gone. Yet on baby Alanna's right cheek, a lioness rampant. Kel smiled. Alanna didn't begrudge her a life, and was looking over her precious daughter. A tiny black kitten wandered over, and snuggled in next to baby Alanna. Nobody noticed the colour of its eyes.

That night, several mages noticed that the constellation of the Cat was missing from the sky. They smiled. Some lucky girl now had the Goddess watching over her. T6he Goddess in her form of the Cat.