Nuworld: The Saga Begins

by Lorie O'Clare

  He watched her, his expression assuring her everything would be all right. Her claim stroked her head with a damp cloth, which felt better at that moment than she could have imagined. Then she felt his cheek brush hers, as he placed gentle kisses on her forehead. She focused on his touch, as wave after wave violated her body.

  She turned her head to see the activity in the room. Everyone around her seemed surreal. Reena appeared to be bouncing from one side of the bed to the other. Dr. Digo placed a needle in her arm, and everyone suddenly seemed very far away.

  Tara understood the conversation but had a hard time focusing on it. Her thoughts kept going inward. She vaguely paid attention as her legs were lifted and placed on cold metal. She blindly obeyed when Reena stood between her legs and instructed her to push.

  “Tara,” someone was speaking to her and there was cold water dripping slowly down the side of her forehead. She reached up with her hand and brushed the water off. “Tara, girl, open your eyes.”

  “Say hello to your son, my lady.” Darius stood by the bed holding a bundle of blankets.

  Tara focused on him and realized he was holding a baby in his arms. She had done it. It impressed Tara how easily she was able to sit up, and she looked around the room at her exhausted audience. Tara knew she should feel as tired as they looked, but a sense of exhilaration flooded her and she felt overwhelmed with happiness.

  “Where are my babies?” Her throat was dry, and her voice cracked. She blinked several times to clear her thoughts.

  Darius sat next to her and placed the bundle of blankets in her arms. Hilda approached with another bundle.

  Tara wrapped her arms around the two babies and looked down into their squishy pink faces.

  “We have a boy and a girl.” Darius ran his fingers through her hair and lifted her face to his. “You were quite impressive, I must say.” He leaned forward and kissed her gently.

  She smiled. “I want to name them Andru and Ana.”

  Later that night, Darius crept into the dark room where Tara lay, cradling her sleeping babies. She smiled as he leaned down to kiss her.

  “I wanted to wish you good night,” he whispered. “But I fear I woke you, I did.”

  “I’ve been sleeping on and off, I guess. But I’m glad you are here.”

  “You were wonderful birthing our children, my lady.” And when he kissed her again, she smiled against his mouth and returned the kiss until he backed away a few inches to study her.

  “I’m sorry about your brother,” she whispered.

  He looked at her seriously. “I only have one brother, and he knows nothing of my papa’s philosophies.”

  “Darius?” She looked up anxiously as he turned to leave and he stopped in the doorway. “Do you have any other children?”

  “No.”

  The door closed, and the room became completely dark again.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Come on, you can do ten more.” Tara was dripping with sweat.

  “Can’t we take a break?” Torgo dropped to the ground. “If I do one more pushup, my arms will break.”

  “Okay, a little break.” Tara laughed and fell to the ground as well. She was exhausted and it felt really good. “You don’t know how happy I am to have my figure back.”

  “You do have it back at that, my lady.” Lord Darius walked out to the backyard and looked at the two lying on the ground. “Duty calls, however, the cherubs are up from their nap.”

  Tara jumped to her feet and straightened her shirt. “I guess we’ll continue your training later.”

  Torgo didn’t mind a bit. He had a hard time keeping up with the new mama, and he didn’t want to admit it.

  Tara went upstairs to greet her beautiful children. Each lay in his and her own cradle and smiled at the sight of their mama. She’d grown accustomed to picking them both up and laying them at opposite ends of the diaper-changing table. The two children would kick at each other’s feet and giggle while she blew on their tummies, changed diapers, and dressed them.

  “I can’t believe how much you two are growing.” She kissed fingers and toes. “You’re six cycles old today, did you know that?”

  “Oh, good, they’re awake now.” Hilda entered the nursery with a bag in her hands. “I bought these while I was in town this morning, I did. They were such cute outfits I couldn’t resist. Don’t you agree?”

  The two outfits were made from blue denim. One was a pair of overalls and the other a dress with the straps like overalls. Hilda also produced a white blouse to go with the dress and a white shirt for the overalls. The two women struggled to get the lively children into their new outfits then placed them on the floor.

  Tara laughed as Andru tried to inspect the shiny buttons on his sister’s outfit. Ana slapped at his hands for his efforts.

  “I heard news in town this morning, you know—catching up on the gossip so to speak.”

  “Oh?” Tara never appeared interested in any of the goings on of the community, but Hilda was determined to teach her daughter-in-law the fine art of gossiping.

  “Ah, yes, I did. I heard Patha is planning to head south for a few cycles. It was Gertrude’s daughter who told me, you know the baker’s claim?”

  Tara was less interested in the source of the gossip than the news itself. “Patha is leaving? I just saw him the other day, and he didn’t mention it. Do you know when?”

  “Now that I don’t know, but here is the kicker.” Hilda lowered her voice as if someone might be listening. “He has asked Reena to go with him, he has.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Well, I would think she would say no.” Hilda thought the question absurd.

  Tara picked up the babies and walked into the large adjoining bedroom she now shared with Darius.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to say goodbye to my papa.” Tara pulled a clean headscarf from her top dresser drawer.

  “You’re taking the babies?”

  “Can you tend them?”

  Hilda looked at her watch and shook her head. “I’m having tea with some of the ladies over at Roga’s in an hour. You really should hire one of the girls in town to be a nanny, you should.” The old lady scurried off to prepare for her outing.

  Tara was left alone with her babies. She thought about asking Torgo or Darius to go with her, but neither was in sight as she loaded the babies into the back of the jeep. The weather appeared conducive to the activity, so she pulled the top off the jeep hoping the babies would enjoy the fresh air.

  “It will get you accustomed to riding on a bike.” She watched them look up at the endless blue sky.

  There were signs that many of the clan members were preparing to leave. Doors stood open as trailer interiors were dismantled. Breakable items were being boxed before being placed in compartments under the trailer. It was summer and the best time to travel the country.

  Tara suddenly felt a longing to be going. It surprised her. She’d been so busy with the babies and so wrapped up with her love for Darius that she hadn’t even thought about the summer journeys.

  The clan would move around for the next four to five cycles and then settle down again when the weather turned bad. The alliance built with Gothman enabled the Runners to leave some of their possessions on the land, with Darius promising protection. Patha and Darius agreed that the acreage on top of the hills just to the west of Gothman would be Blood Circle Clan property. The townsfolk had grown accustomed to Runners entering their stores. Tara had even heard business owners speak favorably of the race since the Runners had begun stocking up on supplies for their journeys.

  “Hi, Syra.” Tara pulled up to Patha’s trailer and smiled at her niece. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing.” Syra’s tone was sulky.

  Tara was about to ask her what was wrong when Patha and Balbo came around the other side of the trailer.

  “I heard you were leaving,” Tara greeted her papa as she reached for her children.
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  “In the morning.” The old man smiled and went to look at his grandbabies. “These babies will be walking by the time I get back.”

  Tara handed Andru to his Grandpapa and held Ana in her arms. “What’s wrong with Syra?”

  “Believe it or not, she doesn’t want to go.” Balbo shrugged his shoulders at his daughter’s behavior. “I don’t understand her lately.”

  “Why not let her stay with me? I need a nanny for the children. I could pay her, and she could have her own room. It would help her save money for her first bike. She’s about ready for one, you know.”

  Patha looked at Balbo, who showed his approval of the suggestion.

  “She’s growing up so fast.” Balbo shook his head. “Nothing I do is right for her anymore. Are you sure she would be a help with the babies?”

  “I was caring for babies at her age if not younger. Besides, Balbo, it might make it easier to find another wife. Syra is quite the young lady, and another woman might think she has competition with her around.”

  “Don’t try to argue with her, Balbo.” Patha laughed. “Sounds like she has her mind made up.”

  “Okay. I’ll speak to her. That is, if she’ll talk to me.” He walked over to the sulking girl.

  Tara watched her own papa play with her son. “I’ll miss you. You better stay in touch with me.”

  “Don’t you long to travel, yourself?”

  “I hadn’t thought about it to be honest with you. The twins keep me so busy; there is little time to think of anything but tending them.” Tara squinted from the sun, as she looked around the clansite. Runners loaded bags onto their bikes and locked down trailers. “Coming out here does put the yearning into a person, though.”

  Patha looked at her, but instead of saying anything he reached out and tickled his granddaughter.

  She noticed the look of concern in Patha’s eyes. “Don’t worry about me. I am happy. Really I am. I’ve found a good man.”

  “Good. You have an obligation here. The Runners have never had land like this before, and a lot of that is due to you, my dear.”

  “I know.” Tara was aware the Runners viewed her as being responsible for a pivotal turn in their history. She received more respect from them due to the Lord of Gothman claiming her, than she did from the Gothman.

  Balbo and Syra walked up to them, and Tara noticed the young girl was all smiles.

  “Can I really stay with you?” Syra looked from one twin to the other but her smile didn’t waver.

  “You can work for me.” Tara caught the girl’s eye. “You’ll be in charge of the babies, and you’ll go to school. It won’t be fun and games.”

  Tara knew the teenager had had exposure to young children. But Tara was concerned because Syra would be one of the few girls in her class. She knew Syra could handle herself and would not be bullied by anyone. Still, she was breaking the mold by attending school while Gothman girls were discouraged from going. The Gothman believed their girls could learn what they needed to know staying home and helping with housework. Tara had done her best to encourage the girls to attend, but it was a slow process.

  The Runners had been allowed to enroll their children in the Gothman school by a new law Darius had passed. That was a slow process too, encouraging Runners to take advantage of the Gothman schools instead of home-schooling their children, as had been the custom.

  “I won’t let you down.” Syra seemed excited as she ran to get her things.

  * * * * *

  Syra couldn’t believe her luck. She would be staying with Tara and could see Torgo every day. This sure beat spending the next several cycles cooped up with her papa. Torgo would be a lot more fun to be with. He was so cute and so tall. Ever since they’d finished the project of clearing rubble for the Gothman, she hadn’t seen much of him. This change of events was too good to be true.

  “I’m ready.” Syra ran back to Tara who was still talking to Patha and Balbo. She took Ana from Tara to show she could handle the work.

  * * * * *

  “The River people at the southern edge of Trueland are trying to form a new government, and I thought we would start by going there,” Patha said. “I want to make sure they know the Gothman and Runners have united. We’ll show our respects to their new government and see if they’ll welcome our union by letting Runners enjoy their community.”

  Tara knew there was oil in the land down there and realized Patha and Darius had probably discussed this. Natural resources in Gothman land were limited, and the people would need to augment their supplies soon. She vowed to keep in touch with Patha and couldn’t wait to hear the stories from his journey.

  Syra had loaded the babies and her bags into the back of the jeep and was sitting in the passenger seat waiting for Tara. Hugs were exchanged one last time, then Tara and Syra headed back to town.

  “I can’t believe it. The house is so big.” Syra watched in awe as Tara drove along the gravel driveway toward the Bryton home.

  “Let’s get you settled first.” Tara parked behind the house. Tara gave Syra a quick tour of the home and showed her where her bedroom would be. She gave her old room to the girl, knowing Hilda wouldn’t mind. After Syra seemed somewhat familiar with her surroundings, Tara decided to put her to the test and announced she was going to take a short ride and would be back in a few hours.

  Her bike felt so good underneath her. She leaned forward and took off with enthusiasm. She had decided she would go look for Darius. It had entered her mind, while she was showing Syra around, that she would now be able to spend more time with him. She wasn’t sure where he was at the moment and hadn’t taken time before leaving the house to track him on her landlink. After driving through the town looking for him, she wondered if he was out joyriding, too.

  Tara drove through some of the hills surrounding the town, slowly taking in the aroma of blooming flowers. It was fun driving through the trees, weaving in and out of the brush. Once she hit the open meadow, she pushed her bike and flew at speeds she’d only dreamed about over the past winter.

  Instinctively she headed for the back hills, to the cliff where Darius had taken her on their first motorcycle ride, where the twins had been conceived. Now, it was her favorite spot, as well. She imagined her Darius sitting on the edge of the cliff overlooking his reign, lost in thought. She would sneak up on him, giving her Runner skills some much-needed practice.

  Tara smiled, deciding she would take him right there and passionately make love to him. Their lovemaking was often interrupted or hurried since their children had been born. They were way past due for some incredible foreplay and heated sex. She drove faster, skillfully dodging the ruts in the earth, dwelling on her thoughts.

  She bypassed the rugged rocky road leading up the hill, knowing the motorcycle would make too much noise going over the rocks. It was a slow climb driving through the jagged rocks and tall grass alongside the road, but she enjoyed it. Her heart leapt as she saw Darius’ bike in the grassy meadow. She parked a fair distance before the trees ended and quietly dismounted.

  Tara crept through the trees, but the excited pounding of her heart soon changed as she heard voices.

  “Why must you always bring me here, my lord?” a female voice said. “Just once it would be nice if you would have me in a bed.”

  Tara almost tripped over a loose branch before she dropped to the ground and crawled through the grass. She couldn’t believe what she just heard. Images of Darius’ face, so full of love and concern throughout her labor, appeared in her mind. She could feel his tender caresses when another memory came to her—he was holding her, telling her she was beautiful even though she was pregnant with the twins.

  The man had told her that he loved her. The pain she felt as she watched her claim through the trees shadowed all pain she had ever experienced in her life.

  “Shouldn’t a lord’s mistress enjoy some of the fruits of his success?”

  Tara could see the woman now. Darius’ profile faced her, and she could
tell he was looking toward the cliff.

  Her heart seemed to stop beating. She couldn’t breathe. The air had turned to poison.

  Tara sucked in breaths trying to gain control of herself so she could make sense of what she saw in front of her.

  He was with another woman.

  How could this be? He’d given no indication he was having an affair. The blood boiled inside Tara as she listened to the conversation.

  “Don’t presume you’re anything that merits a title,” Darius said.

  Tara could see the woman’s face, or better yet, the girl’s face, no…the whore’s face! She was young…too young…more than likely not even twenty winters. Her long reddish-blonde hair fell in a mass of curls down her back. Tara was sure she would vomit at the beauty of the little tramp.

  Tara watched in disbelief as the girl slowly undressed in front of Darius. She was experienced; Tara guessed she’d undressed in front of men before, seducing them with a toss of her long hair. And the way she played with each button before releasing it! She let her dress fall to the ground, then reached for Darius’ shirt.

  Tara was horrified. Her body began to shake. She couldn’t seem to stop it.

  The whore placed her hand on Darius, and he didn’t stop her. The man showed no apparent emotion, but he let the whore touch him and didn’t make a move to prevent her. His gaze appeared to rest somewhere other than the whore’s face.

  Tara squeezed her eyes closed, momentarily refusing to accept the fact that Darius, her man, her claim, allowed the whore to playfully pull at his shirt until it released from his pants.

  He placed his hands on her breasts.

  Tara grew livid.

  “You’ll have me, my Lord, won’t you?” The whore ran her hands up Darius’ chest underneath his loosened shirt.

  “No, he will not.” Tara walked into the open.

  Every muscle in her body spasmed; she feared she might collapse in front of Darius and the female who still had her wicked hand on his chest. Tara’s legs felt mechanical, but they didn’t fail her. She pulled her small laser out and aimed it at the woman. The woman screamed and tried to cover her naked body with her arms.