Emerald And Aharon

Chapter 19

I took Fire to see Aurianna, I had ulterior motives for that but I kept those to myself.  As we rode Fire asked me, “Why did Alleyne leave?”

I sighed, “Alleyne blamed me for Desiree’s death.  She felt if I had been there, Desiree would still be alive, and I think she is right. If I hadn't let her get under my skin and leave on that camping trip with Alleyne, we would have been there.”

Fire was quiet for a moment, and then spoke, “but the Isilk might have killed you, then none of us would be here.”

I smiled faintly, “it’d take a lot of Isilk to take my head honey.  But what you say has some truth.  Maybe I wouldn’t have made a difference.  There is no real way of knowing.

“I wish Mom hadn't died, but I’m glad they didn’t get you too,” she said quietly.

We reached Aurianna’s home, Fire took off to do some target practice and I hugged Aurianna.  “Hey, you have time for a chat?”

Aurianna grinned and hugged me back, “not really, but I’ll chat anyways.”

I chuckled and we headed into the house and I said “What's going on with the Isilk?”

Aurianna sobered and hesitated and I shook my head, “Aharon won’t tell me.  He’s afraid if he has to go and fight I’ll insist on coming with him.  I can’t right now, I’d be more of a hindrance than a help.”

Aurianna finally nodded her head and said quietly, “the Isilk are moving away.  Everyone is nervous because no one is sure as to WHY they are pulling back.” She looked about, “there is talk of them planning something big, but no one is sure what so we wait.”

I nodded my head; them pulling back would make anyone nervous, harder to watch. I hugged my friend again, “thanks Auri.”

“He’s not leaving yet, there is no point to.”

I headed out the door and said over my shoulder, “I know, he wants to see this little one born, hopefully the fates coroporate.”

A few days later, while I was in my craft room working on blankets for the baby and an outfit I was making for Fire, Acarliana came in.

“Hello, what can I do for you Carli?”

She picked up some fabric that was on the table and ran it through her fingers, but she didn’t look at me.  I sighed and stood up, maneuvering my way over to her. When I reached her I placed my arm around her shoulders, “it’s about Tresa, isn’t it.”

She looked at me then, pain in her eyes, “how could she lie to me for as long as I can remember?”

I guided Carli over to the couch in the room and we both sat down. “Tresa was in a bad situation last time I saw her, having wound up bought and sold at an auction to someone who knew how to keep an immortal in line.  She was a lab rat for her owner, but she got herself out of it, but the stigma followed her for a while.  Most had no respect for her, and if she had a child, it would be considered a bastard and a freak of nature, something to be killed.”

I squeezed her shoulder, “she told you I was your mother to protect you.  Sometimes a child doesn’t know when to lie, or will refuse to as they see no reason to.  If she told you the lie as truth, you would repeat it knowing no difference.  I don’t think she ever thought you would ever actually seek me out and learn the truth.  Or if you did, it would be after you were grown and could take care of yourself and not be in danger from her own reputation.” I shook my head slightly, “she may have never let on it hurt her to tell you those lies, but she did it out of love for you, and to protect you like a mother should.”

Carli hugged me, and swiped at her eyes, “thanks Emerald,” she said quietly.

I hugged her back and then said, “Any time.  You can talk to me about Tresa any time.  I got some pretty good tales from when we were kids if you want any good dirt.”

Carli smiled at me but shook her head, “I think I’ll take you up on that another time.”

About the time the baby was due we decided to go visit Fire and scope out homes near Aurianna and Auron as the castle had too many places to hide for a small child and she could get hurt. Things had been peaceful with the Isilk pulling back, but there were other threats you had to worry about.

I decided to take a walk and Fire came with me, and it was a pretty late summer day. As we walked I heard something in the brush and in a flash my dagger was in my hand.  I couldn’t keep my balance with my sword, but felt naked without some kind of blade on me.  Fire followed suit with her bow and we found ourselves surrounded by Orcs.  They are grotesque humanoid creatures, about the size of an average man, their features exaggerated and distorted, but the intelligence of a rock.  The often traveled in large groups, figuring strength and sheer numbers will overcome intelligence, and sometimes they were right.

I glanced around and frowned, if I wasn’t 12 months pregnant I could probably take on the group and get out, but there were just to many, and I had to worry about Fire.  “I need you to get out of here and get help.”

Fire looked at me after shooting one of the orcs dead, “but I was told to...”

“I know what your father old you to do!” I snapped as one charged at us and I sliced into its stomach and shoved.  “And you can do that a lot better if you stop arguing and get going!”

Fires hesitated, but nodded and turned to run, shooting herself a pathway out.  I hopped up grabbing a low branch and tried to pull myself up but being pregnant I was too heavy and the branch snapped.  I shrugged and used it as a staff, smacking another Orc away from me and tried again, close to the trunk and managed to pull myself up.

Balls of water hit those that tried to climb up after me.  I felt a contraction ripple through my back and I grimaced, trust my child to pick the most inopportune time to want to come into the world.I kept the orcs away from me, but was starting to run low on energy, and another contraction ripple through, stronger than the last one.

Orcs started yelping and yelling, and I looked and saw Auron and Aharon fighting their way towards me, and some falling to shots from Fire’s bow.  Soon the group of orcs lay dead and Aharon was standing below me looking up.  “And how do you propose we get you down?” he asked.

I chuckled and eased myself forward, “easy,” and leaned forward so Aharon and Auron were able to get a hold of me and help me down the rest of the way. I opened my mouth to say something but another contraction slammed into me and I leaned forward grabbing my stomach.

Aharon grabbed my shoulder, “are you ok? Did the orcs hurt you?”

I shook my head and started to answer him when the contraction grew worse and I fell to the ground, things going hazy around me.  “Baby,” I hissed as things started to grow dark.  The next thing I was aware of Aurianna talking to me.