It was nightfall when I began to climb the stairs to the castle. I had attend five different meetings in different sectors of the city. I was exhausted and worn out.
"You must have Purple clearance to enter this sector," came a women's mechanical voice.
I pulled out a small black box and scanned it on a near by scanner. I could hear gears in the door turning and slowly it opened into the foyer of the castle.
"Good day, Sir," came a husky man's voice beside me, "May I take your coat," he held out is hands.
I shrugged off my coat and laid it in his hands, "Where's Iris?"
The man's eyebrows rose, "I believe in the master bedroom, Sir."
I nodded and my feet began to walk without me telling them where to go. The castle was so huge, but I knew every nook and cranny. It only took my minutes to get to the bedroom.
I knocked before entering, "Hello," I looked around the door and saw that it was bright as day within the room. "Hello," I repeated. I pushed open the door and entered. My heart began to race. On the floor, passed out, was Iris - Luckily she was on her back.
I ran over and pulled her into seating position, "Iris," I said as calmly as possible.
Her eyes fluttered open than closed again, "Damas," she whispered.
"Yes," my heart was racing faster and faster with every breath. Something wasn't right. What if something was wrong with the child.
"I need help," she whispered.
I nodded and picked her up. I laid her on the bed and ran out the door in search for a doctor.
----
I paced back and forth in front of the door. The doctor had been in there now for an hour. My stomach churned as I noticed the time every ten minutes.
The door snob turned slowly. The doctor glanced at me. He was a short man, green skin, and he wore clothes that looked like the forest. He studied me with unsure eyes, "Well, Damas." He was the only man in the kingdom who dared speak my first name besides Iris and Praxis.
I kept watching him.
"Her body is extremely weak. We might have to educe labor, if that is fine with you."
I nodded, "Will she be alright afterwards?"
He pressed his lips tightly together, "That would be as knowing as who the Precursor's are. It just depends on how much weaker she is afterwards."
"May I see her, Samos?"
He nodded, "I need to go back to the forest and get some supplies."
Without looking back at him I pushed the door open. Iris was lying in the bed with her eyes wide open studying the ceiling. Her face showed uncertainly. When she heard my footsteps coming closer to her she looked over. Her eyes looked dead, shadows ever forming slowly under her eyes, but she had a wide smile etched across her face.
"Well," her voice was back to the sweet as honey tone.
I walked over and set next to her, "Samos, is having to educe you, tonight."
"Tonight," she yelled, "but, Da, we're not ready! We don't have the room completed yet, and we don't even have a name!"
I began to stroke her back, "I know. I'll get the maids on the room, and as for the name we can wait a few days till we give him an official name."
She looked down, "Okay."
----
Iris had a death grip. I was afraid my hand was going to be crushed. I supported her through gritted teeth, "Come on, I."
"He's crowning. Can you do on big push, Iris?"
She nodded and yelled.
A blood curling scream erupted in the room. I looked over at Samos. In his arms was a small white and red skinned child. He turned his back to us and rushed over to a near by table. The small child was crying his small little heart out as Samos cleaned him.
I wiped the sweat off Iris' brow, "You did great, Darling," I stroked her hair.
She laid back and closed her eyes, "What does he look, Damos."
I hadn't looked at the small child, "He's beautiful. The most beautiful thing in the world, besides you," - she smiled - "He has large dark blue eyes like you, and he even has your chin. Small and pointy like. He's extremely tiny. I think he'll be short like you."
The boy kept crying.
"He'll grow," she opened her eyes and placed her hand on my jaw. She smiled and closed her eyes, "I'm so tired, Da," her voice was beginning to fade.
"Just wait a few minutes, than you can sleep," my nose was stinging.
She nodded.
Samos walked over and handed me the small boy, "You're good at guessing," he whispered.
I looked down at the small child. He was just as I described. The only thing I didn't mention was his hair. You could already faintly see blonde and green. "I, do you want to hold the boy?"
Silence.
"I," was voice was beginning to tremble. I handed the boy back to Samos, "Iris," I demanded. I shock her gently but she didn't respond.
My world for that moment on fell to pieces. Nothing was ever the same again.
----
The throne room smelled of flowers. The smell of flowers always made me think of happy times, but this wasn't a happy time. Everything seemed to have a light to it, but shouldn't it have a dark? The whole city was lit up in excitement for the joy of a child. I was on cloud nine about having a son, but the one, and only, person I ever loved died in my arms.
I hadn't cried for more than twenty years.
I hadn't decided a name yet for the boy. My mind kept drifting back to Mar when I thought. That was the name she wanted.
"Damas," said a low voice from behind me.
I wiped my check and turned to the voice, "Yes, Praxis."
He shifted foot to foot, "We're sorry for your, um, um."
"Lose," said a musical voice.
I smiled as a tall red haired women appeared from behind Praxis, "Good day, Penelope."
She glanced at Praxis than took steps foreword. In seconds she was in front of me. "Who is taking care of the child?"
I shrugged, "Some maid servants. Some have recently had children so they are able to spare some milk for the boy."
"Do you need help? I am willing to help you raise the child."
I shock my head, "You've already raised one child, and still in the process."
She laughed, "Two is no problem."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded, "I talked it out with Praxis and he likes the idea."
I glanced at Praxis and he nodded, "Well, than I incst that all of you move into the castle at once."
"Oh no, Dam-"
"I said at once," I commanded.