It's about damn time [Vanator]

[Kashik]

30th Day of Spring, 511 AV

Kashik had become nearly inconsolable in her final weeks of pregnancy, swinging from weeping to bitching and back again. Most of Vanator's poor family were beginning to rethink their decision on this particular marriage, but his mother was able to keep the worst of it at bay through sheer tenacity. She was the one person Kashik would not raise her voice to, and so she was the one who kept the poor girl in check.

Today, though, she'd pulled Vanator aside and let him know that it might be a good idea to get Kashik out of the tent for a while. Staying inside all day was doing her temper no favors, and besides - it was said that a little exercise was like to help encourage birthing, and the young Denusk bride was in perilous need of that.

"I just want it out of me," Kashik groaned as she leaned on her husband's arm and slowly walked through the streets of Endrykas. "Seriously, just shake me until it drops. I'm sure I'll love it once it's out and I can see my feet and don't have to piss every ten minutes, but right now I just want it out," she sighed, leaning her forehead on his arm.

She looked much the same, aside from the belly: her dark skin fairly glowed with her pregnancy, and she hadn't put on much weight besides the baby. Her joints would get swollen at night, but mornings were normally her best time. Her stomach, however, was enormous. Kashik was a small woman to begin with, short and slight of frame, but her stomach grew as large as any woman's would and it showed all the more on her. She'd been obsessively applying some salve to her skin each night to keep the scarring down, but there was little one could do when one's body stretched that much.

"Gods, how can you love me when I'm like this?" she moaned. "I can barely walk, all I do is yell at you and eat everything in sight, and poor Khiara has to dress me every morning. How does any marriage survive a pregnancy?" she laughed weakly.

[Vanator]

The past few weeks had been a trying time. Vanator had felt a bit helpless, watching Kashik go through the last stages of her pregnancy. She had not been herself, but his mother said that was normal, that the baby did that to her. He tried as a husband to console her. Hugs, gifts, eloquent words of love were either greeted with a shower of tears or a look that made him step outside of the range of her fist. So it was with relief that he took Kashik up on her request to get away for a while. As they strolled through the tent city, they moved at a slow pace, so the young wife did not have to waddle to match his strides. It was good to be alone, just the two of them, holding her close as they walked. "I wish I could help...but even if I shook you, I don't think our child would come out. After all, you are his mother, I am sure he has your tenacity." The Drykas father-to-be smiled down at his wife, and grinned warmly. "And I pray he, or she, has your looks!" Of course Vanator wanted a boy, an heir, but he did not want Kashik to think he would love a girl any less. Vanator glanced over his mate, clad in a special dress his mother had got for her. I was attractive while accomodating her swollen belly and breasts. Kashik carried their child well. Her belly was smooth and perfectly round. Vanator loved to rub it, fascinated that their child dwelt within her. Though Kashik often appeared tired, it did not mar her beauty, her skin took on a deep luster, and her hips and breasts only increased slightly, embellishing her lovely curves. The couple drew quite a few glances from passerby's, grinning women and winking men and the occasional "awww" look from an old lady. He laguhed again, leaning down to kiss her head. "I know it has been difficult. I would not insult you by saying I can sympathize or understand. But Kash, you are giving me the greatest gift I could ever have. I cherish you for it, despite pissing yourself and snapping at the children and throwing that mug at me." Van's hand raised to touch a scar on the ridge of his brow. "And my love...you have always eaten everything in sight."

[Kashik]

"Just be glad I didn't demand you let me stitch it up, too," she said with a breathless chuckle. "My sewing is appalling enough on linen, I can only imagine how I would have marred your beautiful face."

She smiled to everyone who gave them greeting, even giving a little wave to the few she'd seen during day-to-day life in Endrykas. The Brightsmile Pavilion had never tarried long in the traveling city, preferring to move a week or so ahead and clear the grasses of dangers, but with her birth looming her family had rejoined the borders of the great Drykas capital. And the Denusk clan seemed happy to stay near civilization for whatever reason, and she was glad for it now.

"And I think by tenacity, you mean stubbornness. I wish it would remember that it is your child as well, and feel the stirrings for adventure and exploration. Crawl on out and see the world!" she said to her stomach, patting it gently as she laughed. "Ah. If nothing else, I would be glad to sleep on my stomach. Such a strange thing to miss," she said with a roll of her eyes, though she wrapped herself more tightly around her husband's arm. "Oooh, do you think the vendor with the little frozen juices is around? And don't talk nonsense - you're a gorgeous specimen and our children will be lucky to all look like you. Wouldn't have married you if you were old and hideous," she said, sticking her tongue out at him before laughing again. "How many should we have anyway?" she mused, flitting from topic to topic as her mood allowed. "Should I wait until Khiara bears a child for you too? I don't want her to feel slighted. But I don't want this one to grow up without close siblings. It was invaluable to me, and it strengthens the pavilion. What do you think?"

[Khiara]

Khiara felt restless, uneasy with spring on a whole. It was not a pleasent season for her, and although the weather was still cool, the memories it envoked were painful and bitter. As the time for Kashik's birthing day got closer, the brunette tried to give the first wife and her husband their own space. To occupy her time, Khiara busied herself with a special gift for Kashik and the baby. It was a simple gift, but something functional. It was a bright, soft woven sling. The actual cloth was made from drykas bolt, but the specially carved buckle that rested on the shoulder was something Khiara made herself. It was designed so the weight of the baby would hold the buckle down and the sling in place.

Folding the gift up carefully, the girl put it away and left the tent. Her intentions weren't hand to guess as her feet began to lead her towards the horses, dressed in her grey riding dress, raven hair braided back into an intricate bun. Smiling to the people who she passed and nodding to those who waved at her. Moving through the streets, Khiara's mind was on the gift, the baby and where she was going. It was almost the reason she walked right past Kashik and Vanator. Slowing, she turned to face the couple with a wide grin.

"Oh, hello!" Moving toward them, the vantha kissed Kashik fondly and Vanator as well. Moving to the massive round orb sticking out before the woman, Khiara placed both hands on it and kissed her belly gently. Straightening, she smiled.

"I didn't do this intentionally, I promise. I'm just on my way to the horses..." Vsenri was a comfort when she felt alone. Still, it was hard to be meloncholy around the glowing drykas. Her love for the man, the woman and the growing child shone through her features.

[Vanator]

It was immensely satisfying to get away alone with Kashik, even amidst the busy streets of Endrykas. Her time was near, according to his mother and other women in the pavilion, yet the trial of carrying their child had not dampened Kashik's sense of humor. He drew her closer, pressing a kiss to his wife's dark curls. She was in a talkative mood, and the doting husband simply nodded and laughed until she took a pause to breathe. He grinned as she pondered aloud the prospects of additional Denusk offspring. "I think we all keep busy trying and let the gods determine when and who bears the next child...and I want a ton!" He laughed, squeezing Kashik lightly. It pleased Vanator to hear his young wife talk about more children. He loved kids and hoped to have many with Kashik and Khiara. There had been too much death in his family, he hoped to bring life back to his pavilion. The Denusk heir hoped to dispel the whispers of the curse that hung over his family. "And I admit, as much as I love to rub your big belly, I long to lay on your stomach again too!" He chuckled again, but was interrupted by Khiara's appearance. With a wide smile he greeted his Vanthan wife and returned her kiss. He laughed as she loved on Kashik. Khiara had been a gods-send to the Drykas couple, truly a wonderful and now integral part of their triad marriage. Khiara glowed nearly as much as Kashik, which lifted Vanator's heart. The Winter was a mixed blessing when it came to Khiara. The cold and snow had made her feel a bit more at home in the Grass, while it also made her heart ache for Avanthal. The Vanthan's melancholic moods grew as Spring came and the snows melted. The Drykas knew that was why she spent so much time with her Frostmarch. But Khiara always brightened when Kashik was around. Vanator was convinced she was as excited as the parents for the child to come. Afterall, she was going to help raise it too. Vanator glanced down at Kashik with a grin, knowing she would not mind Khiara tagging along. "Khi, why don't you join us? We are walking to see if we can convince that little critter to come out today."

[Kashik]

"As if a mere matter of scheduling would keep any of us from trying," Kashik laughed, snuggling happily under his arm when he pulled her closer. As uncomfortable as the pregnancy had made her, she was happy, blissfully so, and it shone on her face firelight in a mirror.

She grinned in surprise as Khiara appeared, and returned her kiss with a laugh. "What a pleasant surprise!" she said, laughing again when the woman bent to press a kiss to her stomach, one hand lifting to settle on that strangely colored hair for a moment before she rose.

When Vanator invited her to join, she practically beamed. "Yes! Please, join us. I'm hoping a little exercise will be encouraging, and maybe we can get this over with tonight. Sam'ael suggested a few people as midwives, too, so if I start yelling for random people, do be sure Van doesn't get it into his head to think I'm spurning his company," she snickered.

[Khiara]

Grinning with delight, Khiara fell in line beside Kashik, entwining her arm in the First Wife's. Walking at a sedate pace, she allowed the couple to lead the way.

"You know, there are other ways to encourage him to come." The young vantha said with a giggle, glancing at Vanator with a raised eyebrow and a blush, before shaking her head.

"I know a story about bringing on babies. Tenuik's Oath, its not an old tale, but its a good one. Tenuik was a woman in my own hold, Snowsong." Taking a moment to remember, Khiara began the tale.

"Tenuik was a new mother, Blessed by the Goddess and close to her time. Everyday she got a little closer, the young mother would speak to her unborn child, 'The world awaits your breath and your cry, and I am ready for you to come.' But as the day's got closer, the child became stubborn. It was not ready yet, still wanting to dream with the Goddess in the safety of his mothers womb. And so, it was on the day of the child's expected arrival that Tenuik spoke to him. 'O Child, It is your day. I am ready for you to come and the world awaits your cry.' The child within turned over, his eyes closed and his mind with the Goddess. He did not come that day, or the next, or the next." Glancing at the couple with bright violet eyes, the girl grinned. She could remeber Tenuik and Kashik was much like her.

"Tenuik spoke to her mother, who advised the young woman that the Goddess would present the child when their link was broken. But the young woman was impatient, and spoke with the Healer of their Hold. 'Great and wise Healer, can you break the link between my child and the Goddess. It is time for arrival and they have not yet come, I am eager to met my child." The Healer, a wise woman with many children of her own, spoke to Tenuik.

'I know of some ways, but be warned my child. Breaking the link between the Goddess and your unborn is not the way of the Goddess, and she will make your birth hard.' Unwilling to believe the old woman and desperate to meet her child, Tenuik pleaded for the ways. The Healer bade her listen well.

'Go for a walk, over the hills of the snow, long and hard. If this does not work, you may try taking your man to your bed as many times as you both can manage.' Tenuik shook her head in despair.

'O Healer, wise as you are, I have done these as told by my mother. They have not worked. Still the child dreams! Do you not have a tonic or a medicine I can take?' Shaking her head, the Healer brought out a vial from her kit and handed it to Tenuik.

'This is an oil, derived from a bean that grows far away in the deserts of Eyktol. It is known for helping to move bowels when they have become blocked, but it can also break the link between the Goddess and the child. Be warned. Too much of it and you can die, too little and all you will do is feel sick. Take half of the vial now, and wait six bells. If you feel nothing is happening, you may take the other half. But only, if you feel nothing at all. If after that nothing happens, I cannot give you more. If the child is not here after a week, we will take a different approach.' Eagerly, Tenuik took the vial and downed half of the vile liquid. It coated her mouth and tasted like the rotten liquid of old potatoes." Khiara curled her nose as she spoke, remembering how Tenuik had gagged violently when telling her the taste. They had indeed waited, and waited. Six bells had been a long time.

"When the sixth bell finally passed, Tenuik felt nothing, and took the other half of the vial. Feeling tired and miserable, the young woman went to bed. It was only a short while later that she felt a strong pain in her belly. And another, and another. Contractions gripped her like the fist of the Goddess, and the Healer was sent for. As the old woman examined Tenuik, she laughed to herself. Because Tenuik had been so impatient to bring her child, the labour was going fast. The contractions came in two's, then threes, and Tenuik's water broke within the first hour. She begged the Healer to stop the labour, but once it was begun, it would not be stopped. One bell passed, then two. Tenuik cried out suddenly.

'My child comes!' And without a moment's warning, the babe's head appeared. In only a few chimes, the child was presented to the world crying heartily. Tenuik was so happy to see the little gift, a girl, that she too cried. Happy to have the baby girl, and glad it was over, Tenuik vowed never to go against the wishes of the Goddess again. The next time she was with child, Tenuik didn't mind how long the link lasted, and her birthing the next time although long, was a lot easier than the first." The violet eyed girl looked at Kashik with a serious expression.

"I have seen this oil in Endrykas, in the market. I remember the dose. If you want to..." She left the question open ended. The story was not only to let the woman know there was a way to help bring the baby on, but that it could come with a price.

[Vanator]

Vanator smiled, pleased to be in the company of both Kashik and Khiara. Though their marriages were still young and they had had their problems, the three of them were close. Vanator attributed their tight union to the time Khiara spent traveling with the Drykas couple before he married the northerner, allowing the two women to become friends. They had become so friendly that, not only were there no jealousy between them, they regularly ganged up against their hapless husband. The three began to move again, arm in arm, their pace easy and considerate of Kashik's condition. As they made their way through the busy, earthen streets of the tent city, the crowd made way for the trio. Though Vanator towered over the two small women, he knew their passage was cleared more for the glowing pregnant girl and her exotic Vanthan companion than for himself, and the thought of it made him beam proudly. The Drykas husband grinned widely at Khiara when she inferred a suggested method for promoting the birth that ironically, had gotten them pregnant in the first place. The broad smile was then turned to Kash with waggling eyebrows. The Vanthan carried on, reciting her story as a true storyteller of Avanthal. Van loved to hear Khiara tell her tales, and as he steered them between the large pavilions and merchandise tents, he listened intently. In the end, he realized her story had a practical purpose, the availability of the oil. He did not like the idea of Kashik having a difficult birth. She was young and strong and tenacious, but Vanator did not want to see her suffer more than necessary, or for the child to be endangered. Using the oil Khiara spoke of may be a method of last resort if the birth is delayed longer than is safe. In the end, it was Kashik who would have to experience the consequences of any decision, and he would allow her to decide. He looked down at both Khiara and Kashik. "Well, we have no snowy hills to traverse to speed the coming birth, but we could pursue the more..amourous method, I am sure Khiara would watch the pavilion entrance for us." He laughed and winked at both women. "Seriously, this oil sounds like it could be dangerous. But I don't know how you feel Kash, or how you feel about using it. You know I trust you Khi, its not that." Van knew as well that the Vanthan would do nothing to endanger the child.

[Kashik]

As they wound themselves through the tents that made up the center of the nomadic city, Kashik began leaning a little more of her weight on her husband. She knew he was strong, and though she was usually fiercely independent, she wasn't fool enough not to lean on him when she needed him.

Khiara story got her laughing, though, and she laid a hand on round stomach. "I don't think we'll have to worry about looking for speedy methods," she said ruefully, sighing a little. "Either your story scared me enough that I pissed myself, or we should start hobbling our way over to the Opal Clan's tents. I'm gonna go for the latter," she chuckled. "And don't you start panicking," she said, peering up at Vanator with a reprimanding little crinkle of her brow. "I've seen this done plenty of times, and I've probably got hours yet until it's done. It's that way," she said, pointing over towards one of the paths even as she winced a little and her breath hissed from between her teeth.

[Khiara]

Looking at her husband, the vantha smiled at his concern. She had told the horrible part of the story for that very reason. She had wanted Kashik to know there was a way to bring on the child, but it was a very high price she could pay to do it. The young woman was glad he had picked up on that.

Chuckling a little at Kashik's meaningful word to Vanator, it took Khiara a moment to register the drykas womans words.

"Oh? OH! Right!" Taking her arm into a more protective wrap around the woman and supporting her with the other, Khiara began to walk the direction Kashik had pointed.

"Vanator. Can you run ahead and let them know we're coming?" She asked in a calm voice, although her eyes swirled like a gold and violent river. It was time, it had begun. Whilst the young woman had no children, she had a lot of Hold siblings.

"Here now Kashik, let me know when the contractions start to be to much and we can slow or stop. Remember to breathe calmly and don't tense up."