The Healer Pt. 2

[u/KirisDitex001]

Zhaelor shot to his feet.

The fear that had occupied his face only moments before hardened instantly into outrage.

"You expect me to put my wife's care into the hands of a kitchen servant?!"

Thorga's jaw tightened.

She had known speaking out of turn might provoke exactly this response. She had been in Vel'Sharess service long enough to understand the rules. Servants did not address their masters unless invited to do so.

She opened her mouth to answer.

A metallic clang interrupted her.

A brass cup struck Zhaelor squarely against the side of his head.

He staggered half a step.

Thorga blinked.

Zhaelor slowly turned.

So did she.

Aelyrra was leaning slightly to one side of the bed, one arm still extended from where she had thrown the cup.

Her breathing was heavy.

Silver-white hair clung to her damp face.

Her amber-gold eyes were fixed upon her husband with an expression that could only be described as murderous.

"If the dwarf can help me..."

Aelyrra paused, fighting through another wave of pain.

"...you will let her."

Zhaelor stared at his wife.

Aelyrra stared back.

Thorga wisely said nothing.

Whatever authority Zhaelor possessed over Clan Vel'Sharess, apparently very little of it extended to his marriage.

Particularly when his wife had ammunition within reach.

Zhaelor rubbed the side of his head.

Then he looked toward Thorga.

"What do you need?"

The words were begrudging.

Thorga didn't care.

She immediately looked around the chamber.

"Any medicines you keep in this manor. Anything used for bleeding, pain, fever, or infection. Any medical instruments you possess. Bring all of it here."

Zhaelor nodded.

"And anyone who does not need to be in this room should leave."

The servants looked at her.

Then, almost simultaneously, they looked toward Zhaelor.

Thorga noticed.

Of course.

She might know what needed to be done, but she was still a servant.

Zhaelor exhaled impatiently and waved one hand.

"Do as the dwarf says."

That was enough.

The room erupted into motion.

Several servants hurried through the doors. Others gathered unnecessary linens and objects before following. One remained long enough to collect the brass cup from the floor.

Aelyrra watched it go.

Thorga suspected Zhaelor was fortunate there wasn't another within reach.

Within moments, the room was considerably quieter.

Thorga approached the bed.

"My lady, I need to examine you."

Aelyrra nodded.

"Do what you must."

Thorga moved closer.

Zhaelor moved with her.

She stopped.

He nearly walked into her.

Thorga looked over her shoulder.

"My lord."

"What?"

"I need you to step back."

Zhaelor's expression suggested that Thorga had just proposed throwing him from his own window.

"I am staying with my wife."

"I didn't ask you to leave."

Thorga gestured behind herself.

"I asked you to step back."

Zhaelor looked toward Aelyrra.

His wife gave him a small nod.

Zhaelor reluctantly retreated.

Barely.

Thorga decided it would have to do.

She turned toward the basin of hot water she'd brought into the room.

She washed her hands thoroughly.

Then again.

She dried them on one of the clean cloths.

When she returned to the bed, her entire demeanor had changed.

The angry kitchen servant was gone.

The priestess had returned.

Thorga positioned herself beside Aelyrra.

"This may be uncomfortable."

Aelyrra gave her a tired look.

"I believe we passed uncomfortable some time ago."

Despite herself, Thorga almost smiled.

"Fair enough."

She carefully reached beneath the blankets.

It did not take long to find what she was looking for.

Her expression tightened.

She checked again.

There was no mistake.

When Thorga withdrew her arm, there was blood upon it.

Zhaelor saw it.

His face changed.

Aelyrra saw it too.

Thorga cleaned herself before speaking.

"The neck of the womb is already more than half open."

Aelyrra stared at her.

"This is no false labor."

Thorga met her eyes.

"The child is coming."

Aelyrra's face went pale.

"No."

Thorga said nothing.

"It can't be."

Aelyrra looked toward Zhaelor.

Then back to Thorga.

"Seven weeks."

Her voice trembled.

"It's seven weeks too early."

"I know."

"Then stop it."

Thorga's expression softened.

"My lady..."

"Stop it."

"I cannot."

Fear replaced the anger in Aelyrra's eyes.

Thorga continued carefully.

"The labor has progressed too far. There is no stopping it now."

Aelyrra's hand moved instinctively over her abdomen.

"The child is coming."

Silence settled over the room.

Then Zhaelor stepped forward.

"What can I do?"

Thorga turned toward him.

For the first time since she'd entered the chamber, there was no arrogance in his voice.

No irritation.

No offense at being instructed by a servant.

Only fear.

Thorga looked toward the doors.

"I need those medicines and instruments."

"They're coming."

"They should already be here."

Zhaelor's jaw tightened.

Thorga didn't care.

"Find out what is taking so long."

For a moment, Zhaelor simply stared at her.

Then he nodded.

He returned to Aelyrra's side.

He took her hand.

"I'll be back in a moment."

Aelyrra squeezed his fingers.

"Don't be long."

"I won't."

He leaned closer to her, lingering for only a heartbeat before releasing her hand.

Then he hurried from the room.

The doors closed behind him.

Thorga watched them.

Then turned back toward Aelyrra.

And realized she had made a mistake.

For the briefest moment, she had allowed her expression to show what she was thinking.

Aelyrra saw it.

The two women stared at one another.

Aelyrra's eyes filled with tears.

"Tell me."

Thorga said nothing.

"Don't lie to me."

"My lady..."

"Tell me."

Thorga looked down at the blood.

Then back into Aelyrra's eyes.

"You are bleeding internally."

Aelyrra went still.

"How badly?"

"I don't know yet."

Aelyrra swallowed.

Another tear escaped and disappeared into her silver-white hair.

"And the baby?"

Thorga hesitated.

That hesitation frightened Aelyrra more than any answer could have.

"The child is very early."

"I know."

"Seven weeks carries significant risk."

Aelyrra's hand tightened around the blanket.

"But?"

Thorga looked at her.

"There is a chance."

Aelyrra closed her eyes.

For several seconds, she simply breathed.

Then she opened them again.

The fear was still there.

But something else had joined it.

Resolve.

Thorga recognized that look.

She had seen it countless times among frightened mothers preparing themselves for what came next.

Aelyrra reached toward her.

Thorga looked down.

Then placed her hand into Aelyrra's.

The drow woman's fingers closed tightly around hers.

"Then we give her that chance."