Nuworld: Claiming Tara

by Fitzgerald, Laurie

  she couldn’t keep straight what they’d look like when they

  were done. She humored the woman though and watched

  attentively.

  The front door opened and Reena entered, bringing a

  gust of cold air with her. “I daresay that one is my favorite.”

  Reena ran her hand over a flowery print Hilda had just

  pulled from the bag.

  “I’m going to meet some of the kids in town.” Torgo

  stood, grabbing his empty bowl. “All this quilting talk is for

  ladies.”

  “You behave now, boy,” Hilda scolded, but smiled before

  returning her attention to see Tara’s reaction to the

  material.

  “I have to agree with Reena.” Tara dunked the crust of

  her bread into her soup. “I like that material, too.” Hilda seemed pleased and folded the material before

  placing it back in the bag. “Now are you sure you’ll be okay

  left alone for a time?”

  The pair appeared anxious to go, and Tara hurried to

  reassure them. “I’ll be fine. Get going you two. We’ll need

  those quilts soon, I expect.” Tara stood and walked around

  the table, then made a feeble attempt to hug the two

  women. She watched as they left the house.

  Soon after that, Tara headed out the back door to enjoy

  a walk through the snow. The weather was crisp, and she

  felt her lungs freeze with her first gulp of air. A path was

  shovelled through the snow, and Tara stuck to it. It led

  through the yard to the driveway, which had also been

  shovelled. Small mountains of snow towered on either side

  of her. Snow from the path rested on the pristine, sparkling

  white yard.

  Tara desperately wanted to wade into the snow to reach

  the shed and the backfield. There, she could truly enjoy the

  winter’s beauty. She had to admit trudging through the

  snow sounded exhausting and so behaved, and stayed in

  the cleared area. She reached the end of the path and

  began walking toward the front of the house along the

  driveway.

  Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. A red spot soiled

  the ground in front of her. Something had been dragged

  from the spot through the deep snow to the other side.

  Tara moved closer and recognized the mark as blood. One

  touch told her the liquid was still warm.

  Tara pulled her comm out of her pocket and hooked it

  around her ear. “Darius,” she whispered as she looked

  around her, remaining alert.

  “Yes?”

  “There’s something wrong at the house.”

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t know. There’s blood in the driveway. I think one

  of the guards has been dragged off. Darius, I’m outside and

  I’m not armed,” she continued and started toward the back

  door.

  “We’ll be there in a minute. Who’s there with you?” “I’m here alone.” Tara heard the comm go dead as soon

  as she’d spoken those words. She wondered where Darius

  was and how long it would take him to get there. Her laser

  was in her room. The women had thrown such a fit about

  her carrying it in her condition. Plus, Darius’s men were

  stationed everywhere. At the moment, though, it seemed

  eerily quiet.

  She looked toward the back of the house and then to the

  front. Four guards were supposed to be stationed out here.

  She saw no sign of them.

  Tara moved as fast as she dared along the shovelled area

  and hurried inside. There was no way to tell if anyone was

  in the house, due to its size. She crept up the stairs to her

  bedroom and her laser. Grabbing it, she headed back down

  the stairs.

  No sign of life was evident through the windows, and

  from the front open room she noted the snow was

  undisturbed except for the footprints along the driveway.

  Then she saw it—more blood along the snow in the front

  yard and indications that someone had been dragged. Whoever did this was still nearby.

  An icy breeze made Tara to shiver, and icicles shattered

  to the ground from a nearby tree. Tara stepped carefully to

  the bloodstained snow and looked off into the direction

  where crushed snow appeared to form a path. The snow

  was deep, and she moved slowly so she wouldn’t lose her

  balance. With every step her huge belly constricted. Her

  babies were being exceptionally still at the moment,

  however, as if they sensed something was wrong, too. A

  hard fall to the ground would send her into labor. She

  hugged her belly as she searched the yard.

  “Isn’t it inappropriate for someone in your condition to

  be out in this weather?”

  Tara turned quickly to face a Runner standing on the

  path by the house. She didn’t recognize the man through

  his headscarf, and something was strange about his voice. “Who are you?” She wrapped her fingers around the

  laser in her pocket.

  “This is rather a shame,” he stated, ignoring her

  question. “It’s not really you I’m after, although I guess you

  should die as well.”

  Tara listened to the voice carefully. It was Gothman. Just then, she heard the sounds of motorcycles

  approaching. The Gothman in Runner clothing pulled out a

  laser from his pocket and aimed it at her head.

  “Drop it, now!” Darius pulled his bike to a stop and

  aimed his gun straight at the Runner.

  “Oh, what perfect timing. And how heroic. Don’t tell me

  you came alone.” The intruder turned his laser on Darius. Tara pointed her weapon at the stranger and

  approached slowly. “Hold it right there.”

  The intruder pulled a second laser from his pocket and

  aimed this one at Tara. “I won’t let this continue.” “You won’t let what continue?” Tara took another step

  toward the stranger, feeling the snow crunch under her

  boots.

  The stranger didn’t acknowledge her question, although

  the laser remained pointed at her. He looked at Darius.

  “You’ve destroyed the Bryton blood line. You have no

  respect for anything but your power. To think how many

  bastards you have running around out there. That was bad

  enough.”

  “What bastards? Darius, who is this?” Tara didn’t take

  her eyes from the man, and his laser didn’t waver as she

  pointed it at him.

  “Who knows when someone might show up claiming his

  right to be Lord of Gothman?” the man continued as if she

  hadn’t spoken. “But then, you go and do something like

  this.” The man waved his laser at Tara. “You’ll allow a half-

  breed to be our heir? Darius, that is unacceptable!” “Mikel, put down the gun.” Darius spoke with a cold

  authority that the other man didn’t possess.

  Tara’s mouth fell open in disbelief. This masked

  stranger—the one holding a laser to her head, dressed in

  the garb of people he claimed to despise—was Darius’

  brother.

  “I may die, brother, but so shall you.” Mikel raised both

  of his hands and wrapped his fingers around each trigger.

  “You murdered Juro. I can prove that, you know. That

/>   alone gives me the right to kill you. What do you think our

  papa would say about this?” He gestured his gun at Tara.

  “You disgust me, Darius.”

  Darius’ shot rang through the air with a high-pitched

  whistle.

  Mikel was thrown backwards from the close impact of

  the laser. As he slammed into the side of the house, both of

  his lasers went off, one into the air and one straight toward

  Tara.

  Instinctively, she threw herself to the ground, feeling the

  loss of air in her lungs. She turned to land on her side,

  holding her belly with both hands, as her laser fell into the

  powdery snow next to her. The ground came fast and hard,

  and the pain was so intense she wasn’t sure if she’d been

  shot or not.

  Darius was by her side instantly.

  The discomfort and pain racking her body made it hard

  to speak. She fought to focus as her world blurred.

  “Something is wrong, my lord.”

  “Shh. Be still.” Darius lifted her into his arms and was

  up the open room stairs and into the house within seconds.

  He didn’t care about his dead brother lying out front, but

  focused only on Tara’s condition. He took the wide stairs

  three at a time and had her on the bed before she realized

  it.

  “What about your brother? You can’t leave him there.”

  Tara watched Darius as his hands went over her body, as if

  searching to see if anything had broken.

  “Don’t worry about him right now, my lady. It’s you I am

  concerned about.”

  A sharp pain riveted through Tara’s body, starting

  somewhere in her middle and ending halfway down her leg.

  Tara caught her breath and exhaled when the pain

  subsided.

  “How do you feel?” He stroked her hair and looked way

  too calm.

  “Am I shot?”

  Darius was talking into his mouthpiece. “Patha, I need

  Dr. Digo sent to the house immediately.” He was silent for a

  second before turning off the comm. “Where’s Reena?” he

  asked her gently.

  “She’s working on the quilts with the other ladies.”

  Suddenly, Tara was confused. “Darius, I think I’m okay. I

  guess I knocked the wind out of me.” She attempted to sit,

  and a sudden pain flashed through her gut and down her

  legs.

  Darius eased her back down.

  She grabbed his hand with both of hers and squeezed

  harder than she’d ever squeezed before. The pain subsided

  as she lay back down, and she eased her grip.

  Darius’ face was expressionless. He tapped his comm

  again. “Send someone to find Reena. I believe she is at one

  of those quilting meetings.”

  Tara felt another wave of pain, and Darius offered his

  hand again, which she squeezed without mercy. She cried

  out from the intensity of the pain, and watched Darius’

  mouth move, but couldn’t quite make out his words. “And I don’t want a trace of blood visible,” she thought

  she heard him say, but another wave of pain hit her before

  the last one completely ended.

  It seemed like hours passed before Dr. Digo appeared.

  Not long after, Reena arrived. Tara heard Hilda’s excited

  voice although she didn’t see her. Whenever she opened

  her eyes, it was Darius’ face she saw.

  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 of biting pain violated her body.

  Tara tried turning 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 heard everyone talking but had a hard time

  focusing on words. Her thoughts kept going inward. She

  vaguely paid attention as her legs were lifted, her boots

  removed and her feet 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 lifted her hand and brushed the water away. “Tara-girl, open your eyes.”

  She obeyed and this time the room was in better focus than before.

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

  Tara focused until she saw the baby in his arms. She had done it. Tara sat so easily it made her dizzy. She looked around the room at her exhausted audience. She should feel as tired as they looked, but instead she was exhilarated and overwhelmed with happiness.

  “Where are my babies?” Her throat was too dry, and her voice cracked.

  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. “I must say, you were quite impressive.” He leaned forward and kissed her on her chapped lips.

  She smiled when Darius gave her breathing room, then glorified in her babies. “Hello there Andru and Ana,” she whispered.

  “Andru and Ana is it?” Darius smiled and nodded. “So be it. Andru and Ana are perfect in health and stamina. Both doctors agree. Our children shall rule the greatest nations on Nuworld. I have no doubt they will do great things.”

  Tara didn’t need anyone to tell her it was true. She saw it in her son and daughters beautiful faces. She wrapped Andru’s tiny fingers around her index finger and watched with curiosity as Ana’s fingers curled in the air, as if she wanted a finger to hold, too.

  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 instead.”

  “I’ve been sleeping when they do, I guess. But I’m glad you’re 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.

  His expression darkened. “I only have one brother, and he knows nothing of my papa’s philosophies.”

  “Darius?” She looked up anxiously as he turned to leave. “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 push up, my arms will break.”

  “Okay, a little break.” Tara laughed and fell to the

  ground as well. Her muscles burned with exhaustion and it

  felt so good. “You don’t know how happy I am to be back in

  shape.”

  “You look incredibly good, my lady.” Lord Darius walked

  toward them and looked at his claim
and brother lying on

  the ground. “Duty calls, however, the twins are up from

  their naps.”

  Tara jumped to her feet and straightened her shirt. “I

  guess we’ll continue your training later.”

  Torgo tried hard not to sigh with relief. He had a hard

  time keeping up with Tara. Fortunately, no guards were

  around to see him continue to lie in the cool grass. Tara hurried upstairs to greet her beautiful children.

  Each had their 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 table where their

  diapers were. The two children would kick each other giggle

  when 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. They were such cute outfits I

  couldn’t resist. Don’t you agree?”

  The two outfits were made from a smooth, soft material.

  One was a pair of overalls and the other a dress with straps

  like the 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, but at the same time tried fingering his buttons. “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 new

  daughter 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? It was while I was showing off

  these new outfits that she told me.”

  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 best part.” Hilda