Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera

by Tamara H Hartl

  “Maybe you’re right on the screaming but don’t you want to be there when your child is born?”

  “By the gods, no!”

  Drace stood, full of nervous energy. “I think when it happens, you’ll change your mind. Where I come from, men are there when their babies are born all the time.”

  Cearan’s exclamation of disbelief was cut short when Estelle stuck her head out the door and called to them.

  Cearan came in with Drace and saw Ki had been dressed in a clean shift and the bed made ready. She had the black shawl from Spain Drace had given her wrapped around her shoulders and Cerise was braiding the length of Ki’s hair.

  Not having a contraction at that moment, Ki smiled in good spirits.

  Drace knelt by her chair. “How are you, sweetheart? Ready to do this thing?”

  “Do I have a choice?” she asked, comforted with him beside her.

  “ ’Fraid not. You know, maybe last night was a bad idea,” he said, blushing.

  “Drace, you did not!” Cerise exclaimed, shocked.

  Drace ignored Cerise and took Ki’s hand. “Maybe last night helped things along. It surely did not hurt.” Suddenly Ki’s hand tightened on his and she gritted her teeth.

  “No, my Lady. Do not fight the pain. Work with it. Breathe deep breaths,” Estelle instructed.

  Ki answered with a grunt like an overburdened draft horse.

  Cearan was starting to look like something hunted. “Brother, since you insist on this foolishness, I will get drunk for the both of us. I will hold a spot for you by the fire should you change your mind.”

  “Thanks, Cearan,” Drace replied.

  Cearan stopped in the doorway. “May Tala watch over you, dear sister, and may you bring a fine son or daughter into this world.” He looked at Ki lovingly.

  Ki smiled back at him.

  He closed the door and disappeared down the stairs.

  “Walk with her, my Lord,” Estelle instructed him. “It will help things along.”

  Three hours later, he was still walking with Ki. He didn’t even want to know how many laps they had done with Ki stopping every few minutes to work through a contraction. They were stopped for one such ordeal when Ki’s eyes went wide and she said, “Oh!” as her water broke.

  Estelle came over, helped her around the mess, and got her changed into a dry shift, with Cerise’s assistance.

  “I am sorry for your boots, my Lord,” Ki apologized in a strained voice.

  Drace looked down and saw fluid all over the tops of his favorite boots. “I don’t care, hon,” he said with a laugh.

  He saw her become distracted as another pain hit. “Aren’t these really close?” he asked Estelle, worry leaving a cold feeling in the pit of his gut.

  “Yes, help her to lie down and I will check her after you leave the room.”

  “No!” Drace and Ki said in unison.

  “Please do not leave me, Drace,” Ki begged as he helped her to the bed.

  Once she had lain down, Drace drug the short stool over beside the bed and sat down next to her, taking her hand. He smoothed her damp hair from her face.

  Estelle gently checked Ki’s progress. “It won’t be long now, Lady Ki before you get to push.” She then rubbed an ointment on Ki to help soften her and prevent her tearing. Estelle then had Cersie lay what she needed on a side table.

  Ki’s contractions became even stronger and closer together. She occasionally moaned as her belly seemed to be twisting within her, and set her teeth in her bottom lip to stifle them. Drace held her hand with each contraction, trying to not show his nervousness. He worried at how long she had been in labor, his only experience in births being with horses. He glanced at Cerise and she smiled encouragement back to him.

  Estelle checked Ki once more. “Lady Ki, it is time. You are going to have this baby soon, love.”

  “I cannot,” Ki whispered. “I am so tired.”

  “I know, my girl, I know, but you can. Drace will help you. Push when I tell you.”

  Estelle gave Drace instructions on what he needed to do and he moved to sit on the side of the bed beside Ki.

  A strong contraction came, and Ki cried out as she twisted on the bed, feeling as if she would be torn apart from the inside; Estelle told her to push. Drace moved so Ki was leaning against his chest as she strained. When it was over, she rested against him, shivering as if cold.

  Ki worked hard for the next hour and Drace was becoming concerned. He gave Estelle a frightened look over Ki’s sweaty head as she dozed off between pains.

  “She is tired, Drace, but she is strong and everything is going well, I promise you it will be soon.”

  Cerise had gone to the other side of the bed to help Ki when she pushed by bracing her other shoulder.

  Ki’s eyes popped open with the start of another contraction and she cried out loudly as it seized her.

  “Come on, baby. You can do it.” Drace encouraged in her ears.

  “It hurts,” Ki moaned, her eyes fluttering closed as she fought against the pain of the contraction.

  “I know hon, but it’s almost over. Come on, push.”

  Ki struggled up and pushed, hard, took another breath and pushed again, a high, thin wail escaping her.

  “I can see the baby, love,” Estelle crooned. “Next time push like you just did.”

  Ki rested for a moment and on the next pain pushed again, her fingers digging into Drace’s thigh. She cried out as she fought to bring her baby into the world.

  “Once more, love. Once more,” Estelle directed, her hands gentle on the inside on Ki’s thighs as she checked the baby’s progress.

  Ki grunted in protest at the touch, then set herself to strain again, muttering curses in Werren. She leaned into it, baring her teeth and screamed. She took a deep breath, and screamed once more, causing Drace to blanch.

  Drace felt dizzy with fear and then a tiny wail sounded from between Ki’s raised knees. Estelle motioned for Cerise to come help her and the wails escalated into a full-blown protestation.

  Ki leaned back tiredly against Drace, a triumphant smile on her lips. She reached up with one hand to touch his face and felt his tears.

  “It is a son, my Lady, my Lord. You have a beautiful son.”

  Ki broke into happy tears herself. “What do you wish to call him, my love?” she asked after she had rested a bit, still working to catch her breath.

  Drace sniffed, wiping at his eyes with the back of one hand. “I’d like to call him Brann, if you don’t mind.”

  Ki nodded. She had heard the story of his MacKinnon ancestor. “Our son will be called Brann.”

  Freed from his last connection to his mother, Estelle wiped the baby clean, wrapped him securely, and laid him at his mother’s breast.

  “Oh Christ. He’s beautiful,” Drace said, overwhelmed by emotion. He knew then that everything the both of them had gone through was worth it to reach this ending. “Beautiful like his mother. Thank you Ki, for my son.” He took a deep breath around the lump in his throat. “God, I love you.”

  Ki touched her son‘s cheek softly, amazed at their creation, and looked up at her mate. “As I love you, Drace. With all my heart.”

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  ONCE ESTELLE AND CERISE had mother and son cleaned and settled, Cerise went looking for Cearan. She didn’t have to go far. He was sitting on a stair just down from the door. He was white as paper under his dark tan.

  She sat next to him on the step. “Did you get drunk?’ she asked.

  “I never went down the stairs,” Cearan admitted. “I went halfway down and could not leave her.” He took one of Cerise’s hands in his large one. “I was afraid unto death,” he whispered. “My mother died in childbed.”

  Cerise felt a tug at her heart, and pulled his head against her shoulder, holding him tight. He put his arms around her and started shaking. She realized he was crying.

  She rubbed his back soothingly until he regained control. When he sat up, Cearan
turned away from her, ashamed, wiping his face with his shirtsleeve. Cerise pulled a handkerchief from the bodice of her dress and handed it to him. He blew his nose noisily.

  Cearan took a deep breath, still facing away from her. “How is Ki?”

  “She’s fine, Cearan. Very tired, but fine. You have a nephew.” She rubbed his back once more. “Would you like to see them?”

  “I would put no woman of mine through that,” Cearan exclaimed, hanging his head.

  “Why? That was the most incredible miracle I have ever witnessed,” she said, and then suddenly felt a great sadness.

  Cearan sensed it and turned to face her. “What is wrong?”

  “I just realized I am getting older and have no one of my own. I may never get the chance to have a baby. I’m a great aunt, for God’s sake.”

  She stood and offered her hand, which he took. “Come on and see you nephew.”

  Cearan hesitated. “I would ask that you tell no one I was unmanned, Cerise.”

  She looked at him, the beautiful man with the scar and saw how young he looked. “Of course I won’t,” she promised. “That’s between us.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, causing him to start in surprise. He gathered her in a brief hug and then took her hand and went to the door, knocking lightly.

  Estelle opened the door and let them in. “You may not hold the child if you are drunk, Lord Cearan,” she warned him.

  “I assure you, I am not drunk, Estelle. As if I would harm my own nephew.”

  She gave him a suspicious eye but let him pass.

  Cearan approached the bed where Ki lay propped up, nursing her new son. She looked tired but well as she smiled up at him.

  Drace stood from his stool, letting Cearan take his seat to visit with his sibling.

  “You are well, sister?” he asked, avoiding looking at the child as it suckled.

  “I do not believe I could sit a horse just now,” she teased. “But I am fine. Would you like to see him?”

  “In a moment,” he replied. “I think he is rather occupied, yes?”

  Ki made a low hum of agreement, laying her head back on the pillows.

  Cearan looked over at Drace where he leaned against the mantle, beaming with pride. “How is the father?” Cearan asked.

  “A bit bruised in places, but never happier,” he said answer, rubbing his thigh.

  The baby let go of Ki with a soft little popping noise. She arranged her shift and wiped his tiny mouth.

  “Look now, Cearan,” Ki said softly. “He is beautiful.”

  Cearan leaned over to peer at the baby. At first he saw just the red wrinkled form of a newborn and made a face. He was not so sure about the baby being beautiful. The baby opened his eyes then and stared at his uncle with golden eyes.

  The two seemed to be exchanging a very serious observation of each other. Cearan smiled then and gently touched the tuft of dark hair. He murmured something softly in Werren, and then asked, “What is his name?”

  “Brann,” Ki answered and with her free hand placed her palm upon Cearan’s cheek.

  “What did he say?” Cerise asked Drace and Estelle where they stood watching .

  Estelle answered for Drace who understood most of it but not all. “He has made young Brann a vow. As his uncle, he promises to protect and guide the lad for as long as he lives.”

  “Drace, would you take your son now?” Ki asked, yawning. “I fear I can not keep my eyes open.”

  “Of course, love.” Drace answered but gave a panicked look to Estelle. He had no clue what to do.

  Estelle went to him to show him how to hold his son. Once safely in his arms, Estelle left him to bond and went to tidy up.

  Drace looked up from studying his son to observe his wife, her head leaned back on the pillows, eyes closed as sleep claimed her. Her braid was coming unraveled and exhaustion showed on her beautiful face, but at that moment Drace saw her as the bravest, most exquisite woman he had ever seen. Emotion clogged his throat and tightened in his chest.

  Cearan stepped close and with one big, calloused finger, moved the baby’s wrap to see his face better. “He is an odd looking thing at the moment.”

  “That is how new babies look,” Cerise informed him, remembering how some of her friends’ babies had looked just after birth. “Give him a couple of days. I think he’s cute.”

  Drace carefully unwrapped the blanket to check fingers and toes, marveling at the tiny digits. Brann made a small noise and Drace looked to see the baby was awake. He made a wrinkled face and then urinated all over Drace’s shirt. Drace looked shocked.

  Cearan struggled not to laugh, working hard to keep a straight face. “Well brother, at least you know that works. I would say the lad is already armed.”

  “Give the lad to me so I may put a cloth on him—and I think you, my Lord, might care to wash and don a fresh shirt. I suggest that everyone try to get a little sleep. It is almost morning.”

  With one last look at Brann, Cerise and Cearan bid the new parents goodnight.

  Drace had turned the small room off of Ki’s sitting room into his personal study, putting his books on shelves, and most memorable show ribbons and trophies on the walls. One locked trunk held all his photos and other ties to his past. A horse bridle lay across the table he used as a desk, waiting to be cleaned and oiled. Weapons hung on one wall near the single window, deceptively decorative. A chain mail shirt hung on a special rack nearby, the armor that was made for him at Ferndale lost after the battle of Hopa. All that remained beside the sword, Gefa Slakh was his dented and scarred shield, which hung over the mantle of the great hall, next to Ki’s father’s—she’d had it hung there after she had returned from his world.

  Drace allowed very few into his study, but he trusted Estelle implicitly. In a corner of the room, Estelle had made a pallet for herself, to be close by the newborn and his mother for the first few nights, as the new parents learned to care for their son. An older woman from the village would come as soon as summoned to act as his nursemaid and would reside one floor down with the baby after some time. Ki had refused any ideas of a wet nurse with Drace in agreement with her.

  Once the baby was tucked into his cradle and Estelle had gone to the study, Drace carefully lay down next to Ki, knowing she would be sore.

  He had thought she was asleep but she took one of his hands in hers. “Does your son please you, my love?”

  Drace gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I cannot put into words to tell you how full my heart is right now.”

  “Those words are enough for me, Drace. I am glad you like him for I will not put him back if you did not,” Ki said, arranging herself more comfortably.

  “Go to sleep, Ki. You’ve earned some rest. I think I’ll check Brann and then I’ll be back,” Drace whispered, feeling the need to see his son once more before he slept.

  Standing over his son’s cradle, he looked to the ceiling, imagining the night sky above them. First he gave a heart felt prayer to God and Arahtok for a healthy child and Ki’s safe delivery. Then, tears in his eyes, he thought of his mother and father, hoping they could see their grandson and be proud. Finally, he thought of Brann’s namesake, hoping his son grew to be as good a man as Brann MacKinnon, the Highlander, had been.

  Exhausted himself, his son sleeping safe, Drace lay next to Ki, his heart full of love and wonder.

  A week passed and Ki regained her strength and was nearly as slender as before the child. She was eager to return to the practice field as soon as Estelle allowed it.

  Brann, for the most part, was a quiet, sweet baby, but when he needed something, everyone knew it. Brann’s skin unwrinkled and turned a healthy pink as Cerise told Cearan would happen.

  Brann would soon be spoiled if all his relatives would not stop passing him around, Estelle had warned. Cearan was holding him, making faces that Cerise had not thought the noble, fierce warrior had been capable of, keeping Brann, who lay on Cearan’s legs, looking at his uncle intently.

 
; He and Cerise looked up when a guard came in, with news of the two Ice dragons’ approach.

  Ki was hurrying down the stairs into the hall, smoothing her warm tunic over her breasts as Cerarn handed Brann to his father. “I think Nimbus wishes to see the son of the Black Knight and his lioness,” Cearan said.

  Drace wrapped Brann snuggly in a thick blanket to protect him from the early spring chill and then the small group crossed the courtyard to the practice field, the one place with enough room for two large dragons.

  Cerise and Cearan walked behind Ki and Drace, both knowing who Nimbus really wanted to see. Everyone knelt in greeting to the two dragons after they had landed.

  “Please rise, all,” Nimbus bid them. “My Lady, how do you fair?”

  “Very well, my Lord Nimbus,” she answered. “We are glad of your visit today.”

  Nimbus came forward gracefully for so large a creature. He snaked his long neck down. “Lord Drace, please bring the babe closer so I may see him better.”

  Drace came forward as requested, and with a careful grip, extended his arms with Brann in them.

  Nimbus dropped his head further, his nose very close to Brann and sniffed gently. He turned his head slightly, and focused one silver eye on the baby.

  Brann’s attention seemed to turn to the bright dragon and he waved one little arm, touching the dragon with his hand.

  Nimbus blew softly and Brann waved both arms wildly.

  Drace looked at Nimbus after watching his son’s reaction. “I think he likes you.”

  “He will be a brave lad, my Lord, which may give you and his mother trials along the way,” Nimbus warned. “He is a handsome child. I believe he will be dark like you, Lord Drace.

  “I think so,” Drace agreed. “But he has his mother’s wise eyes.”

  “Congratulations, my Lord and Lady, on your son,” Nimbus said and moved to let Azure see the baby.

  Again, Brann flailed his arms at sight of a dragon instead of being frightened. Azure rumbled a deep dragon laugh and offered her own congratulations.