by Hicks, Aaron
We’re practically there! It’s no more than an hour or two from here! Delaying at this point is more dangerous because we’re without the rest of the five kingdom’s armies! She marched to the front of the camp and kept going. In groups of two and three her original company caught up to her. As more people began to realize she was serious and that the bulk of the skilled fighters had already left the camp, they began to follow. Most of her original fifty were still alive, she was proud to see, but with the mistakes she’d made; first in the cave and then in the battle with the far-superior Imperial troops, she’d lost more than four hundred combined Beletarians and Sinian troops.
As the rest of her army caught up she thought about how close she’d been to death in that last fight. She still had the scar along her cheek and belly to prove it. What I wouldn’t give for a horse! Or a padded carriage! It had only been a few minutes but her feet had already begun to hurt. The injured wagon caught up to them and Laurilli carefully climbed to sit on the bench with the driver. “Well, ma’am we had a bet going as to how long it would take you to join me. I’m happy to say I lost. I thought you were pushing yourself too hard.”
Laurilli patted Nichael on the arm and said, “I just figured that with my passionate speech it wouldn’t be good for me to then collapse and delay us further.”
Nichael said, “Well, you just sit back and enjoy the soothing ride.” He timed it perfectly as the wagon lurched on a bump. Laurilli watched as her troops walked and laughed and had a momentary twinge of annoyance at the ease with which they were able to move around.
As they became able to, most of the injured fled the wagon with statements like, “It’s less painful to walk,” from a man limping with a long wound in his leg.
Or, “I’d rather walk off a cliff,” from the man who’d lost both of his eyes in the last fight. She saw him being led by one of the twins and he didn’t seem to mind his escape from the cart at all. The twin would release him only to ensure that his reaching hands found her breast before she would call him a blind master pervert whose hands never missed their mark. In truth the only three people left in the cart were so injured that they needed Mother Esrun’s constant attention, and even so it had been a miracle they’d survived so long.
No I don’t…
… talk to her.
Laurilli looked around to see who was talking, but Nichael and Mother Esrun were the only ones awake in the cart.
Shut up!
… told you she could hear us!
The two horses pulling the wagon looked back at her before they both snorted and looked ahead.
That was weird, Laurilli thought to herself.
Laurilli relaxed as much as she could for the rest of the two-hour trip. When they reached the hill overlooking Jubay they found it occupied by the soldiers of the Five Kingdoms. She’d expected that. When they passed the staging area only to find it abandoned. Laurilli made it down from the cart without falling and was ordered to make her way to the inn. Her men were told to find the quartermaster and get settled in and she was told to meet with the Numbers and the officers in the inn.
Laurilli made her way down the familiar path to the inn. Has it only been seven months since I was here last? At the inn door a guard held up his hand for her to stop and said, “State your purpose.”
Laurilli didn’t like his attitude, but stated, “I’m Major Laurilli. I’m here to join the meeting.”
The man looked her up and down with derision clearly etched on his face. As much as she wanted to release her temper on this fool of a guard she just raised an eyebrow. The guard peered into the inn and announced, “Major Laurilli here to join the meeting.”
Almost before he stopped talking the door burst open and Thulmann came out, “You’re alive!” He wrapped her in a bear hug that she returned, but the memory of Three’s confession caused her to push away after a moment.
She lied, “My stomach,” and pointed to herself.
Thulmann jumped back and shouted, “Holy cow! You’re huge! Are you pregnant?”
She grinned and tried not to roll her eyes, “Yeah Dad, I’m pregnant.”
He leaned in, looked around, and asked, “Is it because of that dragon?”
Even through her muted communication with the dragon she felt him laugh. She sighed and said, “No Dad! It’s mine and Uktesh’s.”
Thulmann said, “You’ve been fighting pregnant? With only one arm? I’ll get them to pin a medal on you if I have to stab it off their lazy chests first!”
Laurilli smiled, “Dad I’m fine, really. My men did most of the hard work.”
Thulmann squinted at her and her healing cheek and asked, “Are you sure?”
She nodded again and said, “I’m sure, but I’m definitely done for now. Just standing here’s begun to hurt my feet.”
Thulmann stepped back and ushered her inside while he exclaimed, “You just need to speak up next time!”
She walked into the inn and tried not to feel like she was waddling. She saw a map on a table and found a seat and sat with a sigh of relief. She saw one of the majors who had been with her during the ambush, but not the second one nor the major general. The major stood and shouted, “There she is! Arrest her for dereliction of duty! If she hadn’t taken her troops and run away we might have won the day!”
Laurilli saw two guards move toward her, but she also felt Thulmann move behind her, and the two backed away. Thulmann said, “She’s clearly pregnant, something you conveniently forgot to mention. If that weren’t reason enough for anyone to be excused from a war, she’s still only sixteen! I agreed to the training, but I was also told that those too young wouldn’t be made to fight in the war. I assumed they, were going to keep the minimum age at eighteen.” He began to count with his fingers and raised his index finger, “Too young, pregnant, crippled, a girl, and if those weren’t enough of an excuse for her behavior, to add to that it was her first command, first fight, and men older than her broke and ran.”
Laurilli didn’t like that her father assumed that she had run, even though I did. She stood up and said, “Thank you father, but I can handle myself. Your points are valid, if unnecessary, except for the girl comment.” She glared at her father, “I am a young pregnant crippled girl, but I didn’t run. I stayed and fought the ambush, and when we discovered a plot for the invaders to move inland we moved to head them off. In doing so we saved a village and killed more of the invaders. I would have been back here sooner, but the injured, elderly, and children slowed us down. I felt we couldn’t abandon them with invaders known to be in the area. So if you feel that I should be arrested, Major Mial, I suggest you try it yourself. If you truly believe I haven’t fought and survived twice against the invaders.”
Six, the only female in the room other than Laurilli said, “I agree. While we all know war is different, she never shied away from a fight in training, and from what I hear even the Beletarians speak highly of her skills.”
A giant man in the corner, that she knew was One said, “Enough of this.” He leaned casually on his unsheathed broadswords’ massive hilt. “Kill her or don’t. We have more pressing concerns.”
Thulmann stepped forward and said, “Aye, like preparing for their next attack.”
Laurilli whispered, “Did we win?”
Thulmann grinned, and nodded, “We stung the Imperials good, and even stole one of their ships.”
The general stood and said, “From what we know it seems to take them about seven months between attacks. We assumed this was because they traveled so far, but we now believe that they’re much closer and simply take their time in attacking us. In truth this felt more like a raid than a war. The Beletarians agree with my assessment and they have also agreed to let our children and theirs train together in the hopes that when they attack again, we’ll have more able fighters than we did this time around.”
Laurilli said, “I may know why they came.”
All eyes turned to her and the general said, “Do tell.”
Thulmann put a hand on her shoulder, “They have Heathyr?” Laurilli nodded and he immediately said, “I move that we take their ship, follow them to their home, and hit them with a preemptive strike!” The table erupted in cheers! Thulmann said, “What say you lads and lass; shall we teach these Imperials the same lesson we taught the Beletarians!”
The cheering was louder, but Laurilli felt like it was also more sinister. The general stood up and said, “I can’t stop you so I won’t try. The ship holds nearly two hundred. We’ll begin loading supplies for two hundred people for three months of travel. Volunteers only on this trip that is sure to be a one-way direction.”
The Numbers grouped together as the rest of the room exited the inn. Laurilli walked to the group and said, “I’m in.”
Two, the closest to her, looked back at her and said, “A too-young, too-pregnant, too-crippled, too-new-to-fighting girl? Yup, that’s what we want.” Then he turned back to the group.
She unsheathed her rapier and said louder, “I’m going to get back my mother and my husband, and I’ll kill anyone who tries to stop me. The good news is that means the enemy, the bad news is, that it also means any of you jackasses that thinks they can stop me.”
Thulmann quickly jumped between her and the Numbers as several of them brought forth their weapons too. “Sorry lass. New rule! No women on the trip unless we run out of men; unless that woman is a Number!”
The Numbers quickly shouted, “Aye!” and huddled up again.
Laurilli said, “How do you become a Number?”
One stepped before her and towered over her. He said, “You have to kill one of us, or get the Numbers’ permission.”
Laurilli sheathed her rapier and said, “Good, then call me Three.”
Is it time already
Eight months and two weeks apart from Uktesh
Laurilli heard Pamfilo shout, “Push,” for what seemed like the hundredth time. Laurilli screamed as she pushed, “I am!”
In the end she hadn’t needed to become a Number as it turned out that they only had about one hundred and fifty male volunteers which meant that Sara, Pamfilo, Lana, Pippy, and all of Basam’s children were on the boat too. Sadly none of the Beletarians had volunteered to come.
Laurilli hadn’t really thought about what she would have done if Pamfilo had wanted to stay as she was the only one on the boat who knew how to deliver a baby.
Pamfilo said, “Oh look, there’s the head, and he’s looking at Tylor.”
Tylor paled and said, “Don’t make me throw up again.”
Laurilli pushed again, and Pamfilo said, “His shoulder is out!”
Laurilli shouted, “He’s only got one shoulder?”
Sara said, “No. She meant to say one of his shoulders is out, and that I need to keep supporting his head.
Laurilli felt beyond exhausted as she pushed again.
Pamfilo said, “Okay, there are both of his shoulders! One more big push, maybe two should do it! Sara make sure you hold his head, I’ll catch the body. Tylor, are you ready?”
Tylor must’ve nodded as Laurilli took a deep breath and pushed as hard as she could and with relief felt the baby slide out. She collapsed and saw Pamfilo and Sara carry her son and wash his body clean. He was already crying quietly and Laurilli saw a familiar dragon tattoo on his right arm. Sara said, “He’s going to be a strong baby, he’s already crying on his own. Tylor, your turn.”
Tylor said, “Really? It’s still pulsing, shouldn’t we wait longer?”
Pamfilo said, “We’ve waited long enough while we cleaned him and made sure he was breathing. It’s time. Do it.”
Tylor said, “Just two more minutes.”
Pamfilo said, “It’s already been five minutes. Man up and cut the cord.”
Tylor said, “I just don’t want his first memory to be of his Uncle Tylor chopping off part of his body.”
Pamfilo said, “He won’t remember, it’s not part of his body, and I know you’re just delaying. Do it.”
Larut shouted from behind the door, “If he won’t I will!”
Laurilli said, “What? No! I don’t want everyone looking at my private parts! Tylor, man up or I swear by the nine hells when I feel better I’m going to make you pay.”
Tylor said, “Fine.” He took the clamp from the table and Laurilli couldn’t see what he did, but he suddenly bent over and threw up into a bucket. The women moved him away from the baby and Laurilli both. Then they moved the baby away and brought him back. They laid him naked on her chest and put a blanket over them both.
Pamfilo said, “Okay, you’re almost done, but inside you is a protective coating that now that the baby is out of you isn’t needed. It’ll be expelled on its own in ten to thirty minutes. It’s normal, I’m just letting your know it will happen.”
Laurilli held her son to her chest as Sara let those waiting come in. “She needs her rest so you can visit for five minutes.”
Larut came in with most of the kids and almost before he saw Laurilli Larut said, “Wow doesn’t she look good! Still hot even after giving birth. There’s a feat of womanly prowess!”
Laurilli saw Sara slap her fiancée on his shoulder and she said, “Watch yourself.”
He wrapped her in a hug, kissed her, and said, “Ah, you know you’re the only one for me.”
She leaned into him and said, “I better be. We’re going to have one of those soon enough.”
Larut said, “One of what?” Sara nodded to the baby in Laurilli’s arms, “You’re pregnant? How do you know?”
She said, “It’s a woman thing, I just do.”
Larut said, “Wow, you’re not even showing. Laurilli didn’t know and it looked like she was stuffing her shirt with a watermelon.”
Laurilli said, “Hey, I was new to the whole thing, and you two aren’t married. You need to fix that before you have a kid.”
Larut stepped back and said, “I was going to wait until we got back, but yeah, will you marry me? Today? The captain has the ability to marry at sea.”
Sara said, “Kind of an afterthought wedding don’t you think?”
Larut said, “No way! I’ve been thinking about when we should tie the knot and not just be engaged. This is just our speed. We met, got engaged, like a month later, got pregnant six months later or something around that, and now we’ll get married within a year of meeting you! We’re like Uktesh and Laurilli, breaking all the rules.”
Laurilli said, “Hey! Uktesh and I waited until we were married before we--” she looked around and said, “well, you know.”
Pippy asked, “What? What did you do?”
Laurilli said, “We ate food in bed together. Remember.”
Pippy said, “Daddy Repus said that’s not really why people get married. He said it’s so that they can have fun while they’re young enough to have fun.”
Laurilli said, “Did he now?”
Repus said from the hallway, “What? I don’t lie to her. I don’t always tell her the whole truth, but I don’t ever lie to my daughter.” Laurilli heard him mutter to himself, “It’s the least I can do for Leilani.”
Pamfilo said, “Okay, time to let her rest. Out!” She shooed everyone out the door and said, “Let Thulmann know he’s a grandfather, but that she has to rest, so no more visitors today.”
Pamfilo shut the door and Laurilli said, “I’m fine. You didn’t need to make them leave.”
Sara said, “You’re not fine, you really must rest. Having a child can kill you. Now, don’t worry. Your delivery went about as smoothly as I’ve ever seen, but you need rest. And you
’ll need rest for weeks, if not a full month. You’ll also …” Sara’s voice faded away as Laurilli drifted to sleep.
A Gift in the Life of
Eight months and three weeks apart from Laurilli
Uktesh killed the gladiator and thought, what a waste! If it wasn’t for Neftalix dragging his heels to give me my three points I’d be done by now! There was a rule that if a gladiator wasn’t injured they had to fight every two months. Ordinarily this was to force the smaller ludisii to contribute to the games. Since Uktesh wasn’t injured Neftalix had waited a month and three weeks to schedule Uktesh to fight.
The good news was now he only had to wait two more months at the most for his freedom. He had to wait for the rest of the gladiators to finish their fights as he was now the lowest of the low in rank, even though he was only one, ‘kill,’ from earning his freedom. Uktesh missed Talia and Ceftin. The three months and two weeks they’d been gone had been so boring. It’s not like they would have made it much better; he’d have been waiting for his turn to fight either way, but with them gone and the dragon’s exit he had only had Destus to talk to until he’d died in the ring.
The other gladiators had easily picked up that the new Storm lord was out for Uktesh’s blood, and the blood of anyone he was associated with. This was proven when Destus, a solid solo fighter, was paired against four gladiators, each with over seventy, ‘kills.’ After that Uktesh was left alone. The last fight finished and the surviving gladiators headed back to the ludis. When they arrived Uktesh walked past Cavavos, the new doctore, to the iron post that was his to train with. Uktesh Stepped, attacked the post with a true palm strike, and quickly followed up with a titanic palm strike that caused the metallic post to ring loudly as it vibrated back and forth. Uktesh Stepped to the other side and repeated the process. Soon all that Uktesh could hear was a pause as he Stepped, a quick, “ba,” of his true Strike, then a, “boom,” of his titanic Strike. For hours Uktesh lost himself to the rhythm of, pause, ba, and then boom.