Chapter 15: Baby Kicks and Fortifying the Castle

Airk did not sleep the entire night. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. Did he make the right decision about Madmartigan? Did he deserve to die? Was he ready to lead the army of Galladoorn? Airk poured himself a cup of wine as he gathered his thoughts. He watched over the sleeping Raina and thought of their unborn child. He feared for their child and he did not know if he was ready to be a father. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he did not notice Raina stir and reach up to touch his bare, bandaged shoulder.

"What troubles you, my love?" Raina asked.

"Is it obvious?" Airk asked.

"You do not sleep at my side. I know you are troubled," Raina replied.

Airk sighed. "How can I know if I made the wise decision about Madmartigan? Am I ready to lead this army? I've already been defeated once under my lead."

"You showed mercy and justice to Madmartigan by letting him live, that is what is to be expected of any good leader. My heart tells me Madmartigan has some part to play yet and what that part is we cannot tell," Raina counseled. "As for leading the army, your father trained you the best he could. If the time came and you were not ready, I don't think you'd be leading them now. If your father were here, I think he'd agree with me."

"But what of our child? How do we know our child isn't the one Bavmorda is after?" Airk asked fearfully.

Raina smiled. "Well, if she is, then she should be scared sh******, not us."

Airk could not help but burst out into laughter. "My love, you are as fearsome as you are beautiful."

"Let us speak truths, my darling, you married me because I'm fearsome," Raina laughed.

"Indeed I did and your wise counsel," Airk agreed.

Suddenly, Airk felt something strange. It felt as if a jolt came from Raina's body.

"Raina, my love, what was that?" Airk asked, disturbed. "Is there something wrong with the baby?"

Raina laughed as she guided Airk's hand to her rotund belly. "That was our baby kicking. Isn't she strong?"

"Yes, but how do you know it's a girl?" Airk questioned.

"Just a strong feeling," Raina said with a devilish smile. "She's got a strong kick so she must be a fighter like her mother."

Airk felt more jolts from Raina's belly. "She's rambunctious. She is a fighter."

"I think she can hear you," Raina replied. "I think she likes the sound of your voice."

Airk lowered his head by Raina's belly. "I love you already, little one. You make me proud already."

Airk felt more thumps against his hand and he knew his child could hear him. "I think she liked that."

"She loves her father," Raina whispered. "She's proud of you. Like I am."

"Well, now that I have you both I am twice the man," Airk said, encouraged.

Airk embraced his wife and they lost each other in their love through the night.

The next months Airk spent preparing the castle for an impending attack against Nockmaar's Army.

"Bring these archer's up to the wall! Make these walls higher," Airk commanded. "Make sure the water is available at every entrance. Seal up the doors at every entrance."

As Airk inspected his fortifications on the castle, Ronan could not help but voice his disapproval.

"Something on your mind?" Airk asked.

"Shouldn't we, I don't know, be doing something?" he asked.

"We are. It's called making a fortification, dumb***," Airk said sourly.

"We're just waiting here to die," Ronan spat. "We should be going out to meet them head on before they hit us!"

Airk saw red and shoved Ronan. "Give me a damn break! I'm doing the best I can to lead this army. Kael is waiting for us to come out. If we go out now, we're all dead. So shut the hell up and fall in!"

Ronan did not speak at first but then he smiled. "Well, General, good to know you got that fighting spirit in you."

"Damn right I do," Airk laughed.

Just then, a messenger approached Airk. Airk read the message and was instantly troubled.

"What is it?" Ronan asked.

"Madmartigan has escaped from an attack by Nockmaar soldiers," Airk replied. "They're coming."