"Jaisea, are you getting up? We're going to be late." Herrel walks into the bedroom to find me still in bed. We were going to go to Altgard Fortress for the mosbear hunt. It is an annual event, and everyone has a great time. There is plenty of food and drink for the adults and games for the children. Humans and Daevas alike attend this event and if you manage to kill a mosbear, you get to take home the meat or have it smoked into strips for later consumption.
"No Herrel, I don't think I'm going to come today. I don't feel very well this morning."
Herrel comes over and sits down on the bed next to me. He reaches out to feel my forehead. I bat his hand away. He looks concerned because I haven't been sleeping well these past few weeks. He gathers me up in his arms and kisses my forehead.
"I love you Jaisea. I'll gladly stay home with you instead of going to the hunt." "I know silly, now go on, I said. "I'll be fine. My stomach is just a bit queasy. I'll catch up with you later, I promise." I gave him a strong hug. He looks into my eyes for a minute, and then kisses me again. Pulling me close to him he murmurs in my ear, "I don't want to leave you if you aren't feeling well".
I leaned back from him a bit. "Now who's playing cleric?" Smiling at my husband I push him away. "Now get going Herrel. I'll be fine, I promise." Sometimes Herrel can be overprotective and I have to remind him that I'm a big girl and can take care of myself.
He gazes at me for a moment then gets up. Grabbing his greatsword and spear from the rack, he pauses at the door, looking back at me. "You're sure…" "Yes, yes," I laugh at him. "Now get out of here before I throw something at you."
Shrugging at his wife's threat, Herrel strides out the door, armor gently clacking. He's worried about Jaisea, but she is a chanter and a very good healer in her own right. If something was truly wrong, she'd tell him, wouldn't she? I've half a mind to go back there and make her tell me. But no, Jaisea would just scold and call him a worry wart.
It took me about 30 minutes to get my rebellious stomach to calm down. Getting dressed in some loose fitting clothing, I gathered up my cube and headed out. The air is crisp and fresh. It eases the queasiness I'm still feeling. It takes me about 10 minutes to get to Eva's clinic. Inside it is cool and dim. Today there are only a few sick here. One of the clerics glides over to me. "How may I be of service?"
"I've been sick in the mornings the last month or so. And my body feels different. I think I might be with child. I've missed my cycle for the third time now."
"Ah, and you are a chanter and a Daeva. Hmmm, yes it does happen. Come over here and I'll take your family history and then Eva can examine you." Following the cleric I puzzle over that comment. "Excuse me healer, but what do you mean 'it can happen'?"
He looks startled at that. "Why pregnancy of course. It's not common at all for Daevas to have children. Surely you know this?" "No, no I didn't. I haven't been a Daeva that long. Herrel and I just got married and we weren't planning on starting a family yet, but…" I trailed off.
He smiles. "Yes that is how it usually happens. The harder you try the less likely. Well, let's get your history and then Eva can take a look at you." He asks me a lot of questions, some quite embarrassing. I'm so glad I didn't bring Herrel. He would have been outraged. At the end though, the healer leads me over to a private alcove. "Just undress in here and put this gown on. I'll let Eva know you are here."
"Thank you." I get undressed and pick up the gown. It is typical for a patient. It has ties in the back and some god awful arrangement at the shoulders. It took me a few tries to get it on right. My stomach is doing flip flops now, so I lay down on the cot and tried to relax. In a short time, Eva rustles the curtains. "Are you dressed Jaisea?"
"Oh yes, you can come in." She has my chart in her hands and is flipping through the pages as she walks in. "So, I understand you've missed your cycle three times and have morning sickness." "Yes I have. In fact I'm feeling pretty queasy right now." I continued to take deep breaths to control the nausea that was roiling in my stomach and throat.
Eva walks over to a cabinet and begins to rummage through it. She asks over her shoulder, "And you are just newly ascended?" "Yes," I replied. "Just over a year now." Eva chooses a flask of some liquid and turns back to me closing the cabinet door with a flick of her elbow. She grabs a dosing spoon out of another canister on the counter and pours some of the liquid into it. She hands it to me. "Here, take this. It should help with the nausea. You look pretty green right now." She smiles at me as I smell the medicine.
I grimace at the smell. "Yes, I know it smells but it really will help with the nausea." I close my eyes and bravely swallow the portion she had poured out for me. I fully expected it to taste as bad as it smelled but surprisingly it didn't. It slid down my throat and I could feel the effect of it almost immediately.
Eva smiled at me again. She continued to flip through my chart. She asks, "And your husband? How long has he been a Daeva?" "He's been a Daeva about 30 years." I said.
"Ah good. You are both young then. Good. Good." She replied. "Does that make a difference?" I asked concern tingeing my voice. Eva put the chart down on the counter and pulled out a stool. She sat down next to me and took the spoon and tossed it into the trash. She said, "Yes it does. The older a Daeva gets the likelihood of pregnancy is almost zero. It is very uncommon for a female Daeva to have a child. Male Daevas can mate with humans quite freely if they choose to, but most don't. It's a terrible thing to see your children grow old and die."
I gasped. "Oh." I felt the blood drain out of my face and my head became to spin. I was sure I was going to pass out. Eva patted my hand. "Oh child, I didn't mean to frighten you. But you must know the risk that you take. There is no guarantee that your child will ascend."
"I guess…, I guess I knew that, but never really thought about it. My husband and I weren't planning on it, it just sort of happened." I wondered what Herrel and my parents would say when I told them I was pregnant. I hoped they would be happy, but then maybe not.
"Well, let me examine you, and I can confirm if you are with child." Her exam was very thorough. We she was done she told me to get dressed and come out to her consultation room. I got dressed and went to wait for her. In about 10 minutes she came back with a sheaf of papers in her hand and some potions.
"Well, congratulations. You are pregnant. About 3 1/2 months along." She smiles. "And the good news is the morning sickness should start to abate. But in the meantime, here are some potions to help with that. One swallow in the morning before you eat should suffice. I recommend you keep some light snacks by the bed table to eat during the night. Sometimes low blood sugar will trigger nausea. Also you will need to take one of these daily to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. I've included the recipe here, you can make this yourself if you have the skill or any alchemist can do it for you. Also, I will want to see you once a month for the next three months, then twice a week thereafter."
She handed me the potions and the papers. I took them, a bit overwhelmed. She smiled at me again. "Any questions?" "Many I'm sure, but not a one comes to mind," I said.
She smiles at me again. "I guess it goes without saying, no strenuous work, and no fighting at all. You can do all your other normal activities as you feel able. You'll know when you need to take it easy. And I'll want to see you sooner if you have any issues. Ok?"
"Yes, yes, thank you." Dazedly I got up. "I will." I tuck the items in my cube and head for the door. My mind is in a tizzy. I hope Herrel will be happy. We hadn't really talked about having children. I know his childhood wasn't a very happy one. I smile to myself thinking of my beloved.
I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking and crashed into Madrion just outside the doorway. "Oh, I'm so sorry Maddie. I wasn't watching were I was going."
"I could tell." He grins at me. "Are you okay? I saw you go in about an hour ago. Where's Herrel?" We start walking towards the teleporter. "I'm fine Maddie. I just needed to consult with Eva on a question." I blushed, just thinking about the secret I carried. Madrion looks at me closely. "And?"
"It's nothing Maddie, I'm fine." "You don't look fine; you look very pale." He takes me by the arms and turns me to face him. "Jaisea, what is it? I know it's not nothing! Tell me! Promise me you're okay!"
Startled I look at Madrion. He looks very worried. "Oh Maddie. I gently stroke his face. He turns his cheek into my hand." Looking at him I just now realize how much Madrion cares for me and how sad he's been since Tardy's death. "Maddie, I promise you, there is nothing wrong with me. I'm perfectly fine."
He doesn't let go. "I love you Jaisea and I would do anything for you and Herrel." "I know Maddie." I sigh. He isn't going to let it go. I wanted Herrel to be the first to know, but…
"Maddie, I'm pregnant." He gapes at me. "You…, your what?!" "I'm pregnant silly. Perfectly normal pregnant woman coming through." "Does Herrel know?" he asks. "No he doesn't yet, and you are SWORN to secrecy or else." I shake my finger at him. "I mean it Maddie."
He pulls me into a close embrace. "Ah, Jaisea, I'm so happy for you." I return his hug. "Thanks Maddie. You will be his or her uncle of course." "It will be my honor." he says and sweeps a grand bow. "My life before his. Or hers." Grinning he takes my arm. "Let's go eat."
After lunch with Madrion I head back to the house. He wanted to come with me, but I declined. I'm tired and really need a nap. Plus I wanted to read some of the papers Eva gave me. A few hours later, Herrel came home.
"You're home early," I said. "I came back, because you didn't join me. I was worried Jaisea." I arched an eyebrow at him. Normally Herrel doesn't snap at me. He must really be concerned and to tell the truth I forgot. Not that I'll tell him that. "Come here love. Give me a hug. I have some news for you."
He comes over and pulls me into his arms. I lift up my lips for a kiss and he doesn't disappoint. Oh how I love his kisses. He knows just how to excite me. I pull him closer to me. "Herrel, don't stop." I sighed with pleasure. He watches me with a concerned look on his face. I stuck my tongue out at him. He frowns at that. Sometimes he can be too serious. He cups my chin in his claws. "So Jaisea, what is your news?"
I gaze into his golden yellow eyes. Men! Such worry warts. A slow smile spreads over my face. He is going to be so surprised. "Herrel I'm….."
We are interrupted by a knock at the door. Herrel frowns. Releasing he me he goes over to answer it. Yanking it open he takes a step back. Standing in the door is his cousin Vallyon. All the blood drains from my face and I sit down hard on the bed. Oh Gods! I breathe. Vallyon grins at his cousin and it isn't a nice one. Are you going to let me in cousin?