Omnixius
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DKP 8-24 A blessed mistake
🕑 Added 2022-08-26 23:16:48 +0000 UTCGersius sat on Lilly's back as the two looked north, wondering if the enemy was coming. Days had passed, and the army was swelling, growing into a reasonable fighting force. He now had almost fifty thousand soldiers under arms, but far too many of them were poorly trained or equipped. The captured arms from Whiteford were being pressed into service, while the armor was hastily modified to fit new owners. It was a slow process, especially with a lack of smiths since most of them followed the god Gorrin. Sarah's supply wagons were constantly on the move, collecting needed materials from the various regions and funneling through them. Gersius tried to take as little as he could from the convoys, while the rest was sent west to reinforce Gams and his offensives.
“Do you think he will be here soon?” Lilly asked as they looked back to the west.
“The message said he was coming at great haste,” Gersius sighed. “The attacks have stalled, and the Doan are on the move. Gams no longer believes he can safely advance unless we bring our army to reinforce him.”
“But we can’t do that,” Lilly sighed as she turned her head to look him in the face. “Because we still don’t know where that massing army is.”
“It is someplace in the north,” Gersius said as he looked deep into those burning blue eyes. “If they take us by surprise, much of the northern empire will burn.” He could feel her anguish at the idea that the war might sweep all the way to Calathen. She had come to see the city as her home and valued the people who lived in her empire. She had even fought a dual with a woman from the southern tribes to save the people from more bloodshed. Lilly had grown to like humans and even become a leader of a holy order, caring and sometimes crying over her followers.
“I hate to see them die,” Lilly said as she read his thoughts. “Humans have short lives with so much potential. It is a terrible loss when that time is cut even shorter.”
“It is indeed,” Gersius agreed. “But I am proud of how well you care for our faithful. You are like a mother to them all.”
“Maybe Sarah is rubbing off on me,” Lilly replied as she looked skyward. “Or maybe it's just her influence over the bind.”
“She does have a strong influence,” Gersius agreed and looked to the west, hoping to see Gams coming. They spent the afternoon together, sharing some badly needed time alone. Lilly eventually took to the sky, and they flew around the camp, talking about how to end the war. She still believed some effort to speak to the Doan needed to be made and that Sarah could get them to talk.
Gersius was understanding as Lilly desperately wanted to end the war to save lives, especially that of Rose. She hoped and prayed that Sarah didn’t suffer another terrible loss in her life and would do anything to prevent it. It was another sign of how much Lilly had changed, growing in emotion and understanding to where she felt strong empathy for those who suffered. However, he had to remind her that talking to the Doan had never worked. Even if Sarah went, she would have to go alone, risking being isolated and attacked. He reminded her that the enemy was targeting their dragons, and if they learned Sarah was in such a vulnerable position, it would likely cause an attack. The enemy would send dragons to deal with her, and what would happen if Sarah faced Rose again?
Lilly grumbled that they had to do something, but Gersius was against it. He suggested that once the Doan were bloodied and on the defensive, it might be possible to open a dialog. It was always easier to negotiate from a position of strength when dealing with a hostile foe.
Lilly accepted that with a heavy heart and changed the subject to Thayle. She was worried about the woman she referred to as her dragon treasure. The stomach aches were more frequent, and no logical cause had been found. Gersius was concerned about this condition as Thayle often woke at night to grasp her stomach. They were beginning to feel an echo of the pain over the bind, which meant it must have been much stronger than Thayle was letting on.
They had exhausted every known method to determine the cause and then started again, looking for any reason. The weavers were certain it wasn't magical in nature, and the healers insisted there was no injury to heal. In fact, the healers of Vellis insisted that she was glowing with life and in perfect health.
Thayle had taken to drinking teas to soothe her stomach, insisting that she was simply under a lot of stress. Many of her temples were still abandoned, and regions were calling for the women to return. They needed the blessing to ensure bountiful harvests and healthy families. There was already talk that Gersius was to blame for food shortages as people grew angry that he kept the women of Ulustrah in his armies. Thayle was also under pressure from the primes, who felt her role had come to an end. Her task was to take Calathen and end the threat to their order. She had done that, so why was she marching west?
She held morning meetings with officers every day and took letters from the scryers. The pressure to return to normal was mounting even as Thayle called to the distant temples for more weapons and armor. Gersius knew she was doing her best, but her authority was constantly being questioned by those in temples far from the fighting. Thayle had even publicly announced that she didn't care what the primes thought. Her army remained in the field until the war with the Doan was done. She declared that the old father abbot was only a pawn of the Doan, and they were the true enemy behind their suffering.
Lilly lamented that humans were too quick to forget the danger, and Gersius had to remind her that people valued life. They had been under duress since the father abbot began his mad campaign to turn Gersius into a villain. Since then, it had only gotten worse, leaving the people in fear that either the Done or a bloodthirsty Gersius was coming to destroy them. When Gersius turned out to be a savior, the people breathed a sigh of relief and began to look forward to safety again. They couldn’t help having an earnest desire to return to normal and put the fear behind them.
Lilly understood but was right to point out the fear wasn't behind them. The Doan were playing a dangerous game and thus far had managed to kill Numidel and nearly Sarah. They were poised to invade from the north with no resistance, and even if Calathen stood strong, the farms and villages would burn.
Gersius could only agree, but the point was moot. The war was going to continue until the Doan lost enough of their forces that they could no longer continue the fight. Of course, Gersius would also lose forces, and who knew what would be left of his army when the dust settled?
They eventually returned to the city to learn a messenger from Gams had arrived. He had a dispatch with the latest reports showing there had been three major confrontations. Gersius was alarmed to learn that over three thousand bandersooks had been used in one of the fights alone. Behind them can an organized and well-disciplined Doan army that used weaves and magical weapons to a great degree. His losses were higher than expected, and in the third battle, Gams had withdrawn. He was now falling back to the safety of the border keeps, hoping the defenses would weigh in his favor. As of yet, the enemy hadn't used a single dragon in the fighting, but he suspected that situation wouldn't last for long.
“He needs more men,” Gersius growled.
“We sent reinforcements to bolster the keeps,” Sarah said as she sat beside him at a map table.
“They were supposed to be part of a ruse to make the Doan think we were well garrisoned,” Gersius replied. “I never wanted them to be involved in heavy fighting.”
“And we can’t mover our army from here,” Thayle said.
“No,” Gersius replied. “In fact, after we meet with Gams, I am moving us north.”
“We are going further north?” Lilly asked in surprise as she shifted in her chair. “But what about Alayse and Jessivel?”
“They are already patrolling the north, and if we don't meet them on the way, I will send messengers to find them and send them to us,” Gersius replied as he felt the weight of responsibility.
“This is all because of the missing army,” Sarah grumbled. “Maybe this is just a ploy to keep us from sending the full weight of our army against them.”
Gersius had to consider that thought carefully as it was a brilliant strategy. If the enemy could make him think the army had disappeared in the north, he would have to tie down vast resources looking for them. He had already expended a great deal of time and effort as well as the life of a valued dragon. Perhaps the Doan had broken that army into small groups and slipped back east, merging their number with the two southern armies. Could it be he was wasting his time chasing a ghost?
“I don't think so,” Thayle said as they all listened to his thoughts. “I think they plan to pass around the mountains far to the east and cut us off from the kingdoms in the Common Lands. They will also cut the road to the north and sever us from our allies.”
“But how can we be sure?” Lilly asked.
“We can’t be,” Sarah replied. “But I agree with Thayle. If that army is in the north, it has had plenty of time to swing far to the east. It should be emerging someplace close to the north pass and the road we marched down.”
“I have already sent scouts to search the wilds nearby,” Gersius pointed out, but what good would that do? Even if his scouts located the army a few days out, he wouldn't be close enough to intercept them. They would have almost two weeks of free reign, burning the northeast before he could bring anything to bear on them. By then, terrified local kings would send desperate recalls to their forces in Gersius's armies. They would demand the return of their forces so they could defend themselves since the empire had failed to protect them.
A knock struck the door as they considered the chaos that possibility would cause. Gersius was hopeful Gams had finally arrived and bid the guard let the man in. However, a woman of Ulustrah in green robes trimmed in gold rushed in instead. She went directly to Thayle and handed her a note before bowing and deeply apologizing for the intrusion.
Thayle waited until the woman was gone to unfold the letter and read what was written. Gersius saw her aura flare with disappointment and then anger as she read the contents of the note.
“We can all see your light,” Sarah said. “I assume it is bad news.”
“Bad?” Thayle said in disbelief. “The Primes have agreed there will be no more support from the eastern temples. They say I have no cause to continue this war and they will not support it. They have also demanded that I return to Eastgate for a council to address my role in the order.”
“What? That is ridiculous,” Sarah protested. “Do they not realize the war isn't over?”
Gersius did his best to explain to Sarah that Thayle had been tasked with taking Calathen and freeing her captive sisters. The task was done, and the gentle order of Ulustrah wanted to return to the people who badly needed their blessing.
Sarah was undeterred by his explanation, citing that those people would burn when the Doan rampaged over them. It was another blow to the fragile balance that marked their lives, and one Thayle was not prepared to tolerate.
“I grow weary of reminding these fools that they did not appoint me to my post,” Thayle said as she crumpled the letter. “I was appointed by Ulustrah herself, and until she removes me from command, I have no intention of standing down.” Just as Thayle said those words, they felt the pain over the bind as her stomach ache returned. Thayle groaned and reached down to grip her stomach as Lilly dashed to her side. She helped Thayle up and held her tight until the pain started to subside a few moments later.
“I have about enough of those, too,” Sarah griped. “We need to find the cause of this.”
“It's just stress,” Thayle said and held up the crumpled note. “I am constantly under attack by my own order. These people should be giving me every ounce of support they can muster, yet all they do is try to control me.”
Gersius was sympathetic to her plight as she was the only member of their group who still had peers to answer to. Thayle asked to be excused from the rest of the meeting and wished them well with Gams. She left to find Mingfe and craft an appropriate response to the primes about where they could shove their commands.
“I don't care what she says,” Sarah said once the door was closed. “The pains are getting more acute and frequent.”
“But what else could it be?” Lilly asked. “I have prayed to Balisha about it, and she keeps assuring me it will be alright.”
“Hmm,” Sarah grumbled as she considered her own prayers. “Astikar has shown me a vision of a wagon guarded by priests of Baliasha when I pray about it.”
“That seems unclear,” Gersius suggested.
“Of course, it is,” Sarah countered. “Is it supposed to suggest Balisha is behind Thayle's stomachaches?”
“I am sure that isn't what the vision was supposed to mean,” Lilly protested. “My order would never do anything to harm Thayle.”
“I know, child,” Sarah said as she calmed. “All I am saying is this has gone on long enough. We need to find a cause. I can’t stand to see her in so much pain.”
They all agreed that Thayle's condition was growing worse, and that didn't bode well. Eventually, they called an end to their meeting, and Gersius left to meet with Lengwin and some of the other heads to prepare them for Gams and his report from the front. Lilly and Sarah retired to their private bedroom to lay beside one another and discuss the future. Thayle was on a mission to make her feelings known to those who thought they had any influence over her. She found Mingfe and Shadros in the command tent she used for her own meetings and stormed in.
“Ah, I see you are in a good mood,” Mingfe said as she admired how brightly red Thayle's aura was.
“Do you know what those fools just did?” Thayle asked as she waived the letter. “They have cut off all further support and ordered me back to Eastgate so they can berate me.”
“The primes have?” Mingfe said in alarm.
Thayle handed her the letter, letting Mingfe read it several times until her aura matched Thayles.
“The arrogance to believe they can just snap their fingers and order you out of the war,” Mingfe growled.
“I do not see what the problem is,” Shadros said. “Isn’t an end to the war what you want?”
“It isn't going to end just because I am not a part of it anymore,” Thayle countered. “All they are going to do is weaken Gersius so that his chances of success are greatly reduced. If the empire falls, the Doan will march all the way to Eastgate, and then the primes will plead for an army to save them.”
“Besides, you are an empress of the Dragon Empire,” Mingfe pointed out. “Your place is here, defending your empire.”
“Without the help of my sisters, it would seem,” Thayle grumbled.
“None of us is going to stand down because the primes have lost the will to carry on,” Mingfe said. “Do not forget that the vast majority of your forces languished in prison camps, and some were treated very poorly.”
“Didn’t they break their legs?” Shadros asked.
“Please, don’t remind me,” Thayle growled as the horrific sight of all those crippled women haunted her thoughts.
“The point is, your army understands the need to carry on,” Mingfe assured. “They will not turn away, not even if the primes came here and ordered them home.”
“Oh, what am I going to do?” Thayle said with a tired sigh and gripped her stomach as the pain returned. Mingfe was at her side in a moment, urging her to sit and sip a little wine.
“This stress is killing me,” Thayle groaned as the pain began to subside.
“You are under too much of it,” Mingfe said in agreement. “You must step away from it for a moment.”
“How?” Thayle asked as Shadros handed her a glass of wine.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to fly?” Mingfe suggested. “Perhaps you should take an hour and soar the skies.”
“I do want to fly again,” Thayle replied and looked to the tent's roof, longing to see the open skies.
“I can see your aura filling with desire,” Mingfe said with a smile.
Thayle sipped the wine and then took a long deep breath. She did want to fly again, and if they were going to be stuck in camp waiting, she saw no reason not to. She settled her mind to do it, looking forward to being in her dragon form again. She even asked Mingfe and Shadros to accompany her back to the landing tent so they could talk about the road ahead.
Once inside the tent, Thayle asked Shadros to wait in the meeting tent so she could undress and change. Mingfe was allowed to stay and gathered up the clothing. Thayle looked skyward once more as her stomach still ached. She was tired of the pain and the pressure of leading the army. All she wanted to do was fly again and soar above it all without a care in the world. A white mist began to crawl across her skin as Mingfe's eyes went wide with wonder. Thayle was engulfed in a cloud of swirling mist that made a noise like a strong wind blowing in the trees. It flashed with lighting a moment later and was followed by a terrible scream.
Lilly and Sarah looked up when they heard the scream and flinched to feel the pain over the bind. Thayle was alive with terror and panic as Sarah burst out of their room and ran after the pull. Lilly was right behind her as Sarah ran passed a stunned Shadros and burst into the changing ring.
They witnessed Mingfe desperately trying to comfort Thayle in her dragon form. The woman was on her knees, doubled over in pain in the middle of the tent.
“Thayle, what is wrong!” Lilly cried as she ran to Thayles side.
“The pain is terrible,” Thayle groaned as she clutched her stomach tightly with both arms.
Sarah arrived a second later and demanded to know what had happened. Mingfe explained that all Thayle had done was change. She wanted to fly to take her mind off the stress, and when she changed, she screamed and fell over.
“Move your arms,” Lilly commanded as she struggled with Thayle. “I must see where you are injured.” She had to fight with Thayle to pry them away, but all three women stepped back when she did. There was no visible injury, only a large bulge in Thayle's stomach that looked ready to pop.
“Why is her stomach so big?” Lilly asked as Mingfe covered her mouth in shock.
“She must be with child!” Mingfe choked.
“She can’t be,” Sarah said and knelt beside Thayle to place a hand on the bulge.
“Sarah,” Thayle said with tears in her eyes. “What is wrong with me?”
Sarah shook her head and got control of her senses as Shadros, and two priests of Astikar entered the enclosure.
“We heard the screams. Is everything alright?” one of them asked.
Sarah turned on them with a stern voice. “Find Gersius! Tell him Thayle needs him now!” The men dashed off as Shadros remained by the door, confused at what was happening.
“Sarah, what is it?” Thayle cried.
Sarah took a deep breath as the two men ran from the yard. She didn't want to believe what she was seeing, but it was the only possible explanation. She saw the fear in Thayle's eyes and used a hand to stroke her beautiful scaled cheek.
“Child, when was the last time you took your dragon form?” Sarah asked.
Thayle knew that night well, as it had been far too long since then. “It was the night of the party. When I tormented you with my tongue, that was three months ago.”
Sarah nodded as she reached down to rub the swollen stomach gently. “I remember that night well. We all retired to the bedroom, and you kept your dragon form all through the night. You and our husband both did, as you mated and became pregnant with his child.”
“No,” Thayle countered. “I admit we did, but I didn’t become pregnant. I would have been showing by now.”
“Child,” Sarah said in a firm tone. “You did become pregnant. Look at your stomach. What do you think that is?”
“Oh my goddess,” Mingfe said in shock as Lilly’s eyes went wide.
“You mean she really is pregnant?” Lilly asked.
“Yes,” Sarah said with a deep sigh. “Thayle is carrying an egg.”
“What!” Thayle cried, causing the pain the renew. She buckled over and clutched her stomach again as Sarah did her best to comfort her.
“I know it sounds hard to believe but listen to what I have to say,” Sarah urged. “You mated with Gersius in your dragon form and became pregnant as a dragon would. This is why your stomach has been hurting and getting worse. It is because it is your dragon form that is pregnant.”
“How can that be?” Thayle groaned through the pain.
“Our husband was in his dragon form as well. You were fertile, and you mated as dragons. Now you are pregnant as a dragon would be, carrying an egg. The pains are your solus trying to tell you the time to lay your egg has come.”
“It hurts,” Thayle cried.
“You are weeks overdue,” Sarah said as she felt angry. “You should have laid that egg a month ago.”
“So we really can lay eggs?” Mingfe said as she turned to Shadros and pointed a finger in his face. “You will not do this to me!”
“I don’t even understand how it could happen at all,” Shadros countered.
“Oh, the very thought,” Mingfe said and shook her head. “You are sleeping alone from now on.”
“I had nothing to do with this,” Shadros protested. “Why would you punish me for it?”
“Will you two stop arguing,” Sarah shouted as Gersius burst through the curtain and ran into the yard.
“What has happened?” he asked as he came right up behind Sarah.
Sarah stood and turned an angry glare on him that made him step back. He waited a moment for her to explain, but all Sarah did was put her hands on her hips.
“Well?” he pressed.
“What do you mean, well?” Sarah gripped. “You fool! Your wife is pregnant!”
Gersius looked confused as he met Sarah's glare.
“No, she is not,” he said calmly. “She would have known by now.”
Sarah pointed to the swollen stomach and leaned closer to ensure he heard her words clearly.
“You see that? That is an egg. Your wife is very pregnant and well overdue,” she snapped.
Gersius walked around to kneel before Thayle. She moved her arms so he could see her stomach, and the sight nearly knocked him off his feet.
“How?” he asked.
“How do you think?” Sarah scolded. “I assume you were there when it happened.”
“No, I mean, how could she be pregnant when she had no visible signs?” Gersius corrected as he shook his head. “We all saw her at the meeting. She was not showing a bulge.”
“Her human form isn’t pregnant,” Sarah said. “It is her dragon form that is because you two mated in your dragon forms.”
“See,” Shadros said. “You can’t get pregnant unless you can take a dragon form.”
“I am not going to take that chance,” Mingfe hissed.
“So what do we do now?” Gersius asked as Sarah came back to Thayle’s side.
“She has to pass it,” Sarah said. “She will get no relief until it is out.”
“Can a human pass a dragon egg?” Gersius asked. “Look at how big her stomach is.”
“I am aware of the size difference,” Sarah argued and put a hand over her face. “I have no idea how difficult this is going to be. Obviously, a dragon is much larger, and passing an egg is no chore at all. Thayle is going to have a lot more trouble and a lot of pain. I am sorry to say this egg was ready weeks ago, and she has waited too long. It will be difficult to pass now.”
“Then we must do what we can to aid her,” Gersius said as he locked eyes with Sarah.
“Please, it hurts,” Thayle cried.
Sarah nodded and turned to Lilly, ordering her to fetch the pillows from the couch in their room. She asked Mingfe to run to the kitchens and get a jar of olive oil, then sent the two women scurrying.
“Gersius,” Thayle cried and reached for his hand. He took it between two palms and rubbed it reassuringly as Thayle tried to articulate how much it hurt.
Gersius put a hand to Thayle's head and began to sing a chant to Astikar. She glowed with yellow light briefly as he bestowed the blessing of solace on her. Thayle began to breathe normally, and she looked up with eyes full of relief.
“What was that?” Thayle asked.
“The blessing of solace,” Sarah replied for him. “It takes away the pain for a little while.”
“So I won’t feel pain passing the egg?” Thayle asked.
“I wish I could say that were true,” Sarah grumbled as she turned a narrow gaze on Gersius. “However, I believe when you start trying to push the egg, it will renew the pain.”
“So we are sure it’s an egg?” Thayle asked.
“It can be nothing else,” Sarah insisted in a strained tone. “Child, your body is not nearly as large as a dragon. You will not find this easy to do.”
“I understand,” Thayle said as Gersius began to rub her hand again. “I guess I was wrong. You did get me pregnant.”
“I guess we were both wrong,” Gersius replied. “You will get to keep marching with us after all.”
Thayle laughed and then winced and let out a groan. “It still hurts a little.”
“I am amazed you can talk,” Sarah quipped as Lilly came running in with the pillows. Sarah instructed Lilly to make a nest around Thayle, creating a safe place to lay the egg. Just as they finished the task, Mingfe ran in with the oil, trailed by a crowd of people who heard the scream. Sarah got up to chase the crowd from the tent, ordering them outside.
“No one is to come in here unless they are requested by myself or Gersius,” Sarah ordered.
“Is she alright?” a priestess of Ulustrah asked.
“She is having a complication of her dragon form. She will be fine shortly, but she does not need an audience,” Sarah retorted and pulled the curtain closed. Sarah went to mingfe and took the oil before going to Thayle's side.
“How will this help?” Gersius asked as Sarah poured a generous portion into her hand.
“I am hoping it will help the egg pass,” Sarah replied. “Now help her to her feet.”
Gersius took Thayle by the hand and helped her slowly stand as she wobbled slightly. Sarah reached between her legs and began to work the oil in where it was needed causing Thayle to blush.
“Oh, we should step out,” Mingfe said as she grabbed Shadros by the wrist. “This is something they need to do in private.”
“What are they doing?” Shadros asked as she hauled him away.
“Just get out, so she has some privacy,” Mingfe insisted and hauled him through the curtain.
“Why were they here in the first place?” Gersius aked.
“They were with me when I took my form,” Thayle explained as Sarah poured more oil. “Mingfe was the one who encouraged me to fly and rest my mind.”
“Thank goodness she did,” Sarah said as she worked. “You need to get this out now.”
“I can’t believe I am going to lay an egg,” Thayle said as she looked down. “How big will it be?”
“I have no idea,” Sarah said and poked Thayle's belly. “But judging by your size, it will be about as big as Lillys. Now, you need to squat carefully over the cushions. I have no idea what to expect from this, and I am not taking any chances.”
“You make it sound as if something could go wrong,” Gersius said.
“Something could go wrong,” Sarah countered. “I have no idea what an egg gestated by a human dragon hybrid will be like. The shell could be thinner or have an irregular shape.”
“I bet it will be just like a dragon,” Lilly offered.
“That is the most likely outcome but let's be safe about it,” Sarah insisted and helped Thayle down. “Now, you will push until the egg begins to come out and touches the ground. Then you stand up as you push, allowing the egg to slide out and not fall.”
“I understand,” Thayle said as she gripped Gersius and Sarah tightly.
“Good, now, start gently, and don't try to force it,” Sarah instructed. “Let's just see if you can feel it move.”
Thayle nodded and took a few deep breaths before closing her eyes and grunting. Nothing happened below, and she looked at Sarah for guidance.
“Did you feel anything?” Sarah asked.
“Nothing,” Thayle replied. “I didn’t feel a thing.”
“Alright, then we try again, but this time you will have to use more force,” Sarah urged.
Thayle nodded and closed her eyes as she pushed harder. She squeezed their hands, then cried out as her stomach suddenly shifted.
“I saw her belly move!” Lilly cried as Thayle yelped in shock.
“I felt it move,” Thayle explained as she started to pant. “It dropped lower.”
“It has dropped,” Sarah agreed as she rubbed Thayle’s stomach. “Lilly, I need you to watch and tell me the moment you see it touch the pillows.”
“I will let you know,” Lilly said and laid down to watch closely.
Sarah braced Thayle’s back and squeezed her hand as she urged Thayle to push even harder.
Thayle cried out as she pushed hard, her body trembling as the pain came rushing back.
“I can see something!” Lilly cried out. “I see the egg! It’s blue!”
“Is it down yet?” Sarah barked.
“No, it’s just poking out,” Lilly said.
Thayle let out a cry of exhaustion and had to be supported before insisting she couldn’t push any harder.
“Take a moment to rest. It has waited this long. It can wait a little longer,” Sarah told her as she rubbed Thayles hand.
“I don’t think I can pass it,” Thayle said. “I am so stretched I can’t flex the muscles.”
“Then what do we do?” Gersius asked as he looked to Sarah for help.
Sarah felt the weight of the situation squarely on her shoulders as she came up with an idea.
“You and I are going to help her push,” Sarah said with a serious tone.
“How do we do that?” Gersius asked skeptically.
“The egg has dropped into position. It just needs a little help to come out,” Sarah said as she put a hand over the bulge. “You and I will push from the top carefully and guide it down.”
“This will not hurt her or the egg?” he asked.
Sarah shook her head. “I have never tried to help anybody pass an egg before. Dragons don't exactly share the moment. But I know enough about your human childbirths to know she will need help.”
Gersius steadied himself as he saw the desperate look on Thayle’s face. “I will do what needs doing.”
“Once it is far enough, she probably won't need us anymore, except to keep her steady as she stands up,” Sarah explained.
“I understand,” he said with a nod.
Sarah looked at Thayle as she hoped this plan would work. “Let’s try again. Just push as hard as you were before. We will help you get it out, but you must keep pushing no matter how much it hurts.”
Thayle nodded and took a few deep breaths before groaning as her body went tight. She pushed with all her strength, gritting her teeth as the pain resumed.
“I can see it again,” Lilly said.
“Now, gently push,” Sarah said to Gersius as they both pushed down with one hand on the top of the egg.
“It’s moving!” Lilly cried. “It’s slowly coming out.”
Thayle threw her head back and screamed as Sarah and Gersius pushed from above. She trembled violently as her body felt like it was being torn in two, but Sarah urged her to go on.
“A little more pressure. We have to get it out on this push,” Sarah insisted as they felt it begin to slide.
“It’s down on the pillow!” Lilly called out.
“Carefully help her stand so the egg will pass as she rises,” Sarah instructed.
Thayle cried out as Sarah and Gersius lifted her by her hands and slowly brought her up. The egg remained on the ground, her body sliding over it as they helped push while she rose. Her stomach suddenly lurched, and she let loose a wail of pain as the bulge finally vanished.
“It’s out!” Lilly yelled.
Thayle fell to her knees as white mist began to crawl over her trembling skin. Sarah yanked her away from the egg and carefully laid her aside as Thayle was engulfed in a cloud of mist. When it settled and drifted away, they found Thayle collapsed to the ground.
“Take her to our room and put her on the couch,” Sarah instructed as Gersius swept Thayle up.
“Wait,” Thayle said weakly. “I want to see it.”
Gersius looked at Sarah, who nodded her consent. He turned Thayle around and carried her back, falling to one knee so she could see the fruit of her labor. On the pillow was an egg as blue as the skies and covered in soft white spots like clouds. It was easily the size of a pumpkin, and she cringed to think she had passed that.
“I did that?” Thayle asked.
“You and our fool husband did that,” Sarah remarked.
“Oh, my stomach hurts again,” Thayle said as she weakly put a hand over it.
“Maybe she has another egg,” Lilly suggested.
“Don't even think it,” Sarah quipped and put a hand on Thayle's stomach. “You probably tore every muscle you have getting that out.” She began to chant in the haunting tones of Astikar, and a golden light spread over Thayle's stomach. Thayle let her head fall back as the pain was soothed away, and she finally had relief from the torment.
“Thank you,” she whispered as Sarah rubbed her stomach again.
“You did well, child,” Sarah said with a smile. “Now go and rest. Lilly and I will clean the egg and bring it in to you.”
Thayle smiled as Gersius took her away, her gaze on the blue egg that carried her child. Sarah waited until they were gone to turn her gaze on Lilly, who shrugged helplessly.
“I guess it’s another dragon gift,” Lilly said.
“Dragon gifts, indeed,” Sarah scoffed.
Comments
Sam4005
And I thought my mom had it bad with my fat baby ass
I had a lot of fun building up to this moment, and I am glad I finally wrote it.
