Solo Making the Rounds

[Amunet]

6th Day, Summer, A.V.
River Flower
Endrykas

It was a bit surreal. She had wanted to work with the River Flower as her mother had before her, but the need for her skills in medicine wasn’t going towards the infirmary. It was going towards the pregnant women of the Drykas. Nehrar Tenderbloom had remembered her mother and had been watching Amunet grow over the years. Even after her mother died, she continued trying to learn what she could about medicine when she was allowed to. When it came time to walk in her mothers footsteps, the River Flower wanted her to be a midwife. Ironic thing was the very thing that killed her mother, childbirth, was the one thing she was going to make her purpose with. The girl nodded to Nehrar with no small amount of emotion that passed. His gentle hand was on her shoulder as she took a deep breath and accepted this responsibility.

The long exhale of breath controlled the rest of the emotion and stayed the tear that threatened back. Every time she thinks she was over this, it seems to come back with a vengeance. Rak’keli said time was a healer. It was less that was for sure but it had its swells now and again. Once she regained control of her emotions and provided a little bit of a smile she took receipt of the list of pregnant women that needed health checks. She picked up one of her blank books she had and took the list with her. She was young but she had been helping with pregnancies and childbirth in at least the last year or two.

Amunet looked at the list in common which had four names on it and general location of their pavilion or camp. The girl put that into her journal and waved at Nehrar and Sadara on her way out. She had hoped to see Pearl there but it was not the case today. Not that she had met the girl long but the red head would like to know the Doctors she would need to deal with. The girl shrugged as she went out to her waiting strider. The cat was playing with Shetanae’s and Camile’s tail. Both girls were being tolerant of the cub. Amunet couldn’t help but laugh at the disgruntled look they both gave her at about the same time as if to say ‘About time you got out here.’

“Alright girls, lets ride.” She said as she picked Leia up and put her on the riding pad before putting her hands on the handles of the Yvas and pulling herself up with a practiced pull and her leg wrapped around till the momentum had her on the back of the horse. Amunet might be small but she usually found a way.

The tapping on the outside of her thigh told Camile to come and she followed the strider away from the River flower. She edged with her heels right or left to navigate through people. Shetanae was careful but the nudge of the heel told her which way. The mare dutifully went right when the right heel nudged into her rib then the next throng of loudly arguing Drykas came the nudge to go left. The mare went wide berth of a left. Amunet had one hand with a fist of mane and one hand around the cub. The cub of course saw a zillion interesting things. This was good for the cub to see different things so later it won’t become a distraction. Amunet heard that from one of the hunters talking to another hunter about training cats. It seemed to bare true as she exposed Leia to a variety of stimuli.

Once out in open ways she made her way to the market. First on the list was a young Drykas woman, first pregnancy looked like and the wife of one of the weavers. Gwen she was known as. The girl settled back and curled her back ever so slightly into the back as a sign to stop for the mare. Once she was off and put the cat on the ground she gave the dog the command to sit and then to stay. The cat looked to mimic the dog. “Good girls. “ The wag of the tail was her response. She came to the tent and stopped at the threshold and called out. “Hello, Is Gwen here?” The old woman scared the ever living daylights out of her.

“Gwen is in the back carding wool.” The old woman said as she put the pipe back in her mouth chewing on the end. It didn’t even seem like there was anything in the pipe but the end was well chewed.

Amunet held her chest and took a couple of breaths. “Oh ok. Thank you so much. Im here to check up on how she is managing with her pregnancy. “

The old woman squinted up at her. “Mite young for birthing babies aintcha?”

Amunet was quite prepared for that. “I am versed in the care of birthing babies, ma’am. I am Leia Shimmerstone's daughter. She was from the Skydancers. “

The old woman furrowed her brow. “I remember Leia. Sweet woman.” The old woman said nothing further as it seemed her inquiry was at an end as she went about chewing on the end of that pipe.

Amunet went towards the back to look for her patient. “Gwen? “ Her little voice called out as she saw her carding wool and just crying. “Gwen.” The girl said in a softer tone.

The girl looked up and just said in a weepy voice. “I cant stop crying. “ She said to her.

Amunet smiled a moment as she went to sit beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. “It is natural. I am Amunet, the River Flower sent me to see to you. How far along are you?” Amunet looked at the poor girl was all blotchy and red eyes.

[Amunet]

The girl laughed. “oh great. Drykas women are supposed to be strong and look at me balling.” Gwen sniffed a big one. “I believe im around 140 days. “
“When did your last cycle start and make your best estimate. “ The girl said in her soft tone as she took the pencil she normally drew with and started making notes. This would be transferred to notations at the River Flower.

The girl looked up as she thought. “Let’s see we joined 40th day of spring. My cycle was somewhere 28 or 30th day of spring. Yes had to be. Cord was so thrilled that I got pregnant so soon.“ The woman smiled. She was a dirty blond as the length of it was braided and coiled lightly.

Amunet wrote this information down and made some calculations. The baby would be due around the thirty third day of winter. It would be a hard time to have a baby and keep it warm but these were the weavers. “Looks like a mid-winter baby. Plan for around the 33rd day of winter but first babies are sometimes late. “ In her experience, her mom’s experience and every midwife she has talked to that most first babies are often late. “How do you feel other than the crying. “

The woman sniffed a moment before responding. “I do still get a little tummy sick. Not nearly as bad as a couple of weeks ago. “ The woman put a hand on her stomach.

Amunet nodded “Can we go in and I need you to lie down so I can check a couple of things. “ The both went into the tent where she laid down on the sleeping pallet. Amunet furrowed her brow to recall the proper routine for this. Taking her wrist she felt under her throat lightly for her pulse. It felt strong and steady. The girl then felt her wrists and ankles for any swelling. None. Good. She pulled a length of hemp rope and placed it at the base of the sternum and over the clothes. She felt for the little lump that was forming and measured. She tied it off where she needed it to and cut it with her dagger. She would measure it properly at the Riverflower. She needed to get a measuring tape of some kind.

Then she looked at her eyes and general color. Amunet found her in general healthy. “Your breasts sore ?” she asked. She offered her a hand as she eased her into a sitting position. “The nature of the discharge, what color is it?”

“yes they are a little. It isn’t bad. My husband loves them. “ The girl rolled her eyes. “it is white, maybe a tinge of yellow.” The girl answered to which her mood seemed to be improved with Amunet’s attention.

Amunet couldn’t help but smile at that and blush a little. “Well as far as your crying goes, St. John’s wort tea will help that. No more than one or two cups a day. If you are still having spells of crying, then come see me or send for me. Lavender oil can also relax you and help between the tea. Ginger in your tea will help the tummy. You can even put a sliver in the st john’s wort. The woman nodded. “if you need any of these, I can bring some to you or come to the River Flower. Do you have any questions? “ The compassionate girl’s hand was on her shoulder looking into her eyes.

“No. Not right now but its nice to know there is someone to talk to.” Gwen said whistfully. The blond was probably not too much older than Amunet herself.

Amunet smiled. “Im glad. See about birthing that baby healthy. “Drink plenty of water and make sure you eat and eat well.” The red head stood up and glad she made the blond weaver’s day better.

“Thank you. I will see about getting the teas and the oil. “ Gwen walked her out to a waiting strider with a cub playing with her tail again.

It would be one thing if it was a foal but it was a cub. This was undignified. “Leia.. “ The little woman sighed. “Shetanae, shes young. “ The patient mournful sigh exited in a long snort from the horse.

Amunet scooped up the cub and off she went to find her next patient. This was actually the wife of Aidan Brightwood. From the record she looked to be 200 days pregnant. At a comfortable sitting trot she made her way towards the outer rim where the wagons and tent crafters resided. It took a lot of space to repair wagons and tents. This pavilion usually picked along the outer rim of the city at the back of where the ruby clan put their tents up.

[Amunet]

She liked this family. Typical Drykas but very laid back. “Aidan!!” She smiled as she came off of her strider.

The girl smiled back shaking her head. “No I been assigned your wife as her midwife. Came to check on her, see how she is doing.”

“oh the woman is impossible. “ The man waved her to the pavilion as he grumbled and went to hammer a wheel mumbling about the confusing nature of woman in general.

“Brika. “ Amunet called from the tent flap.

“Who is that. “ The woman came out as she was a bit larger than Amunet expected. “Who are you?” She said somewhat belligerent. The woman was very much uncomfortable which accounts for the sour disposition.

She was breathing a bit hard when she came to the tent flap. “I am Amunet, I am here to check on you from the Riverflower. “

“Little thing aintcha. “ She eyed her up and down. “Good wind pick ya up and toss ya. You sure you can catch a baby?”

Amunet smiled tolerantly. “Brika, you ok. “ as her little fingers went to check her pulse, as she eyed her color and her belly. It hadn’t dropped but she was larger than 200 days. The woman could use her belly to put her dinner bowl on if she wanted to. “Sit down. Let me look at your ankles.”

Her pulse was a bit too rapid for her tastes.. The girl wrote a couple things down. “How far along are you, last record had you at 200 days. “

Brika laughed. “I think im.. closer to 260 or .. so.” The woman would say.

Amunet took a deep breath. “you look ready to go just about but you havnt dropped. “

“I am so ready. “ The woman said with a sigh.

“Which baby is this, number three?”

Brika nodded. “yes this is my third. “

By averages subsequent babies came on faster. Amunet pressed her finger into the flesh of her ankle gently then her hands. There seemed to be quite a bit of swelling. “You got a lot of swelling Brika, your heart beat is a little faster than I like. “ Amunet furrowed her brow. “You need to see the River Flower. “ Her skills may not be enough to handle this one. “Today. Really need to be seen by The doctors there. “
“Really?” The woman looked at her.

“This isn’t normal Brika. “ Amunet went to explain. “The extra swelling and fast heartbeat may cause stress to the baby. May cause the delivery to be complicated also. Please go. Tell them I sent you. “ The girl made the notations of her findings on one of the blank pages. Then repeated them for her own record. One she ripped out and handed to her. “I will get Aidan to take you. I have two others to see to.”

The little woman was extremely worried as she looked around for Aidan and went to him where he was pounding on the wheel. “Aidan!!” The girl said as she rose her voice as high as she could. The yelled again “Aidan!!” waving her hands in front of his face.

He looked up with a start and looked angry. “What!!” His lips curled back and his face scrunched in aggression as he had been interrupted.

Amunet gave an equal determined look. “Brika needs to go to the River Flower. Now. “ The red head insisted.

He blinked “ Is the baby? Well cant you deliver it. Isn’t that what you are for?”
Men. The girl sighed. “ No Aidan. The baby isn’t coming yet but she is showing signs of being sick. “ No need in going into long winded explanation. “She needs the skills of the Doctors there. Now!!” The little woman brazenly even pushed at Aidan a little towards the wagon. There was no small amount of urgency and yes she was being just a tad rude about it.

“Hey there young lady.. watch it. “ He said gruffly and flexed his muscles at her. He gave her that look again with the hulking menace. The snort from his nose leveled at her let her know she was reaching a limit she didn’t need to cross.

Amunet just gave his own look back which on her looked like she had swallowed something sour instead of intimidating. He got a wagon out as Brika, it was pointed out shortly after bringing the strider around, was in no shape to ride a horse. Her hands were on her hips as she watched them drive towards the River Flower. Maybe she was premature but the signs didn’t look good and she wasn’t taking chances. The slow release of air from her lungs she finally allowed out, released the tension across her shoulders a little. Amunet hadn’t realized how shallow she was breathing or that she was even holding her breath till they were on their way.

[Amunet]

Once they were off in the direction of the River Flower. The little lady looked to the ground and breathed another sigh of relief. Maybe she can make a difference, maybe in some way keep what happened to her mom from happening. Logic though told her that what happened to her mom sometimes happens. If she could prevent as many as possible from dieing in child birth, then she will do her best. The next one on the list was a woman with the sapphire clan. This was her fifth child with no difficulties. The girl put the cub on the riding pad and swung up onto the back to start her way towards that end of Endrykas.

The girl had to ask several clan members where her pavilion was before she finally found it. The red head shook her head at herself when she finally dismounted at the sound of children. The children crowded her and the animals. “Hey, be careful. “ Amunet said firmly but with a kind voice.

“Is that a hunting cat?” One child asked. “look at the long hair on that dog. What kind of dog is that?” asked another one. They were inquisitive.

“Leia is a hunting cat. She is four months old and she likes to run. Camile is a Silkena. They all have longish hairs on them. They also like to run.” She answered simply and directly. Mara had always said a child’s question should be answered simply.

Amunet knelt down to the smallest one who seemed to trail behind. A little girl who was at home in the dirt just like her brothers. “Where is your mom?” She asked the wee one. She couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5.

“Ma is in the tent.” The girl cleverly signed ‘tired, resting’

Amunet nodded to her.” Well lets take a look at her. The River Flower sent me to check on your mom.”

“Really? Mom is Huge? “ Said one of the boys. “Don’t say that, that’s mean.” Said the other one as they started bickering.

“Now boys. Do you think this is helping your mother?” The red head put her hands on her hips giving that all too familiar stern expression she would give her six year old brother.
The boys stopped and managed to look somewhat abashed. “No” they said together. One was shaking his head at the same time.

“Good. Why don’t you boys get some firewood for the fire and some water for the animals and for the pavilion. Might be nice for your Da to come home to that. “ The boys made a face as they turned to start doing those chores.

Amunet took the hand of the wee little girl and went into the tent. “Meca , I am Amunet. I found me an escort. “ She said smiling to the girl.
Meca smiled from her resting position. “Miya has those charms. “ The woman struggled and was not successful to get to sitting position. “Can this baby come already. “ The woman groaned.

“Miya, why don’t you go sit over on the other side of your mom and be a helper.” The little girl nodded signing . ‘help, good help.’ The girl hadn’t said a peep and seemed content to just sign. Amunet would inquire later as it wasn’t her main concern as she went to help the poor lady to a sitting position. Amunet got a good look at the belly and its position. “I think you dropped a bit Meca. Any signs?”

Meca nodded. “Some contractions but nothing consistent. I walked. I ate some ginger. They said something strong would induce labor but all it did was give me heart burn. “ She made this indelicate sound of disgust. “I cant sleep, I cant eat. I cant work. “ The woman looked ready to have a fit right there.

Amunet patted her on the back gently. “I don’t think it will be much longer. Drink some milk for the indigestion but where did you hear that one from that strong food induces labor? “ Amunet checked her ankles and her wrists. Other than a small bit of swelling, which was normal, the woman was fine. She helped her lay back down so she can get feel the tummy and check for relative position of the baby. “any discharge?”

“The woman just groaned at the little woman’s words but accepted them. “I heard it from the traders that had come from the far jungles. Said spicey food induces labor.” The woman huffed a sigh. “The show came early morning. “

[Amunet]

Amunet felt the belly as the baby moved. Good active baby. “Try and walk around the pavilion once every two hours. Drink small bits of milk if necessary and a lot of water. It wont be too much longer. Have someone send for me when you go into heavy labor, you know the signs Meca.”

The woman nodded. “I hope you get here on time to catch him. Has to be a boy. Only boys give this much trouble.” The woman said. She patted red head on the shoulder. “Thank you for getting the boys to do that. “

“No problem. I am surprised the move to the fall grounds didn’t set you into labor. “ The girl laughed.

“Me too!! “ she said. ‘ I thought surely I would, but no help of it. I will send for you when its time.”

Amunet with a good heart stood up and patted the girl on the head and signed to her. ‘ good, helper, mom, fine’ The girl smiled up to Amunet with pretty hazel eyes. She tugged at her shirt briefly and the little lady knelt down to the waif of a little girl. She whispered very softly in her ear , “Thank you.”

Amunet tussled Miya’s hair as she rose and headed to her strider. The cat on her riding pad and gave the signal for the dog to come with as she went towards her neck of the woods. The next one on the list she knew well. It was her father’s second wife. She was a couple of years older than she was and her first pregnancy. It was strange being in a tent with a woman who was the same age as you were, but was the wife of your father. She rode through the rows of tents towards the Ruby clan and towards her Pavilion.

Drak was one of the first to greet her as she entered the pavilion. “Ami!!”

The girl wrapped her arms around him and kissed the top of his head. “How is my little brother doing?”

“Ami I am not so little.” He put his little fists at his side and puffed his chest up.

“Ok ok, you’re a little big guy?” The girl teased.

“Ami!!” His face screwed up angrily.

“I’m teasing Drak. Where is Tula. “

The boy rolled his eyes. “Tula is in the sleeping chamber, moaning and groaning. “ He stomped off.

Amunet went towards the sleeping part of the tent. “Tula. Its Amunet. The River Flower sent me to check on how you are doing?”

“Your lieing !!” The woman yelled at her.

Amunet drew the section back as the woman had struggled to get up. She was around 224 days. It seemed like each day she was getting impossible. “I have been appointed to be midwife with the River Flower. How are you doing?” Amunet tried to use her best neutral tone at the barrage of anger and aggression.

The woman came towards her and slapped her smartly across the face. “They would let the one who killed her mother allowed to birth children?” The venom from the woman was seething. Amunet refused to bow to the woman’s authority as his father’s second wife which has been a thorn since they joined.

The red head clenched her teeth. Her face went pale as those sky blue eyes hardened into blue topazes that sparked. The only thing keeping her from striking back was that she was with child. “Let us see you are energetic, so energy levels are good, reflexes are good. No abnormal swelling but watch the salt. “ The girl said in a tight controlled voice. The blue fire was in those eyes looked straight at the woman. “I was twelve. The midwife there said that nothing could have been done. The head healer at the River Flower said that nothing could have been done. If you are experiencing any discomforts or have any questions regarding your pregnancy. Send someone for me. I am sure you can find me. “

She made her notations and turned on her heels. “Your father will hear of this you little nothing. “ The spiteful wench was on a roll “When this baby is born you and your little brother will be nothing. “

It was then she turned on the lady and walked right up to her. She kept walking till the woman’s back was against the tent. Amunet’s voice got really quiet as she got really close to the lady. “You can say what you want about me, for me and to me. You ever say anything against my little brother, when that baby is born; your little whiny spiteful behind is mine. You ever lay a finger on him. Pray that I don’t find out. By all means, tell that to my father.” It wasn’t a threat. It was a promise. Her hand went on the belly gently and was rewarded with a kicking baby. “Active baby, good. Your active, good. Eat well and drink plenty of water. Remember to let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I will see you next month. “

[Tribal]

G R A D E S

Amunet

Experience

• Riding, Horse: 2
• Rhetoric: 2
• Observation: 3
• Socialisation: 4
• Writing: 1
• Mathematics: 1
• Medicine: 1
• Intimidation: 2
• Logic: 1
• Childcare: 1
• Leadership: 1
• Philosophy: 1

Lore

• Amunet: Descendant of the Skydancers
• Amunet: Too young to be a good Midwife
• Gwen: Overly emotional
• Pregnancy: First born are often overdue
• Medicine: Reading someone's pulse
• Medicine: Ginger in tea will help ease stomach pain
• Brika: Aidan's wife
• Pregnancy: A fast heartrate could put stress on the baby
• Amunet: A line of work that truly makes a difference
• Meca: A calm woman
• Pregnancy: Spicy food is rumoured to induce labour
• Amunet: Responsible for her mother's death