One quick step, and I had my hand on the clenched fist that held the dagger, preventing it from touching the skin. I looked at Reness"s stark face, and gave her a serious grave look, even as my heart sang with happiness. "I"ve cut out babes before, and the women have lived."
Hope flared in eyes where there"d been none. Some of the faces about us mirror"d hers. Reness stilled her hand. "You have?"
"I have." I looked around at hopeful faces, including Amyu"s. "It is difficult and dangerous. But let me try."
There was silence for a moment, as the theas around us considered each other.
"She is not of the Plains." One spoke softly.
"Do not trust in this woman, Eldest Thea," another urged. "The winds may rise up in anger."
The woman moaned and writhed in pain. I didn"t look away from Reness, who stared at me.
Then Reness nodded her head and sheathed her dagger. "Do it."
"Get a table in here, and get her on it," I ordered. "I need water, cloths for the blood, and the sharpest, smallest blade you can find me. Quickly. This has gone on long enough."
There was a flurry about us as they acted as quickly as I could ask. I concentrated on digging out one of my precious needles from my satchel, and some of the dried gut that I always kept there, trying to keep my joy off my face. My heart swelled, filled with a sense of comfort, of pure satisfaction and delight. Here was a task I could do, and do well, in a situation I"d been in many times before. A wonderful sense of being needed filled me, a sense of being wanted.
Of being home.
I schooled my face, and braided my hair up to get it out of the way as I watched the preparations.
Amyu was kneeling by my patient"s head, smoothing back her damp hair, and murmuring something in her ear. She stayed with her even as they lifted Eace onto the table. I caught the words "warprize" and "help". Eace"s eyes seemed more rational now, her head straining up so that she could see me over her belly.
A small knife, probably a skinning blade, was pressed into my hand. I recognized the black flint that was used in the tips of their throwing lances. Ironic that such an instrument of death could be used to save a life. Everyone else was stripping off their tunics, men and women, due to the heat. One of the men offered me a bowl and a pitcher of water, and I held out my hands for the ritual blessing, praying as the water poured over my hands and the knife. G.o.ddess, please guide my hands.
I took my place, and watched as another contraction wracked through my patient. "Scream, Eace," I of fered. "It will help with the pain."
"I will not," Eace panted, laying flat, her face white as snow, sweat pouring off her. "I am a warrior of the Plains. I will not move, I will not flinch. I will chant battle cries."
I exchanged glances with some of the older women in the room, about to roll my eyes at that comment. But their faces were grim, and I realized that they expected the pain. They thought that was normal. I sighed, and shook my head. "I will not take a chance. Hold her down."
Many hands reached, and Eace started to chant. "Birth of air, death of-"
Warrior that she was, the poor thing didn"t scream. She jerked under their hands at the touch of my blade, and then conveniently fainted away. I worked swiftly to take advantage of that, making my first cut carefully. Two men stood off to the side, and used cloths to keep the site as clean as possible.
Eln had developed a new technique with these births, pushing the muscles aside instead of slicing them, cutting only where absolutely necessary. I strained, working my hands in, trying to keep my cuts as small as possible.
Once through the womb, I handed the knife out, and reached in to sort out the babe, feeling for the cord, to make sure it wasn"t wrapped around- I laughed right out loud as my fingers told me what I needed to know.
The theas looked at me as if I"d lost my mind. I just shook my head, and eased forth the babe, who popped out screaming. One of the men stood close, with a clean cloth held open for the child. I placed the crying boy in the blanket, the cord still attached.
"Heyla!" The man laughed and grinned at me. "Hear a warrior"s cries!"
The others broke out into smiles, but I just plunged my hands back inside. "Then here"s double the joy!"
I carefully pulled forth another baby, a girl, red-faced and furious, screaming at this new world. She was even louder than her brother, and she had every right to be, since it was her foot that had blocked the ca.n.a.l.
"Twins!" The theas around us crowed in joy, crooning to the babes.
Reness moved closer, and I looked to her. "Can you tie off the cords, Reness? I must finish here."
Reness drew her dagger again, her face as bright as the blade. "I am honored, Warprize."
I turned my attention to Eace, and worked to make sure that I cleaned her out well, before I started to st.i.tch her closed. I tried to be careful, with small st.i.tches, but I was fighting time and her bleeding. Amyu remained by Eace"s head, stroking her forehead, and stared at me with wide eyes.
The babes were off behind me, being cleaned and checked over. But theas remained with me, helping to keep the site clear of blood, dealing with the mess. No wonder she had such a problem, the babes were so large, and Eace a small thing. I concentrated on my work, mindful that my patient was a warrior, and would want to leap to her feet at the first moment of awareness.
Which gave me an idea. Once I had the birthsack closed off, I gestured to my satchel. "I"ve bloodmoss in there, wrapped in blue cloth. Could someone-"
"I know it." One of the theas reached within, and held it out for me. I gave him a surprised look. He shrugged. "I was given some by one of Keir"s warriors."
I checked first, to see that the birthsack was properly positioned, that the muscles had eased back into position. Then I pulled the skin together and applied the bloodmoss.
Sure enough, it started to seal the cut, leaving an angry red line in its place. I had to be careful, I didn"t want the herb to seal the layers together. But the bloodmoss did its work, turned color and then pulled clean away from the wound. I took a step back, and drew in a deep breath of relief. Eace was still unconscious, but her breathing had eased. I placed my hand on her chest to find her heart beating steadily.
"She"s ... ?" Amyu looked at me.
I smiled, tired and sweating and feeling so very good. "She"s well, so far. Only time will tell."
The theas moved in then, with water and cloths, cleaning the unconscious girl, and removing the soiled bedding, making her more comfortable. One offered me a bucket of water, soap, and a scrubbing cloth. I plunged my hands in gratefully, and started scrubbing. I had to chuckle when I saw the state of my tunic. Anna the cook had often claimed that I didn"t own a piece of clothing that didn"t have blood on it at one time or another. She was right.
I glanced over at my patient, proud and satisfied. Two lives saved, by my skill and the will of the G.o.ddess. One still hung in the balance, but only time would tell if Eace would survive. Tears of joy sprang to my eyes, and I focused back on my scrubbing, not sure that any around would understand my tears.
Thank you, Lady of the Moon and Stars. Thank you.
I scrubbed harder, blinking my eyes clear. I"d have to send Eln word that I"d used bloodmoss for this
procedure. Although, knowing my old master, he"d probably already tried it.
Reness approached, bearing a clean tunic. She offered it to me. I glanced around the tent, but everyone was focused on Eace, so I turned my back on her, and quickly changed.
I turned back, to see that she was looking at me oddly. "So it is true what they say, about those of Xy."I laughed. "Yes. Which is why I haven"t had a decent bath since I got here.""Bath?" Reness asked, puzzled. "But the lake-"Eace stirred at that moment, looking around, dazed and confused. Amyu was beside her, crying and smil ing. Eace blinked up at her. "What happened? Where is my babe?"
I looked about expecting someone to bring forth her babes. But I realized that the babes were gone.
"Where is my baby?" Eace cried out plaintively, struggling weakly to sit up.
The theas, male and female, all gathered around the table, hands reaching out to soothe her. Reness
stepped over, to place her hand on Eace"s forehead. "There were two babes, Eace. Two tattoos for your arm. You have done well."
"Two? Two?" Eace struggled even as they pressed her to stay down. "Where are they?"
"In the arms of the Tribe," one of the others offered, in a soft voice.
"B-but I want-" Eace started weeping, and my own throat closed. Why didn"t they bring the babes back to her?
Suddenly, all of the male theas bowed low to Eace, low enough to show the backs of their necks, and left the tent. Reness stood tall at her side, and placed her fingers over the crying woman"s lips. "We are the life-givers. Life-bearers of the Plains."
"This is our burden. This is our pain." The others crowded around as they intoned the words, their voices soft and low. I doubted that they could be heard outside the tent. Reness looked over at me, and gestured me to step closer. I took a step, and arms reached out to pull me within the press of bodies. Eace was surrounded on all sides, being touched and stroked by every woman around the table.
"The Tribe has grown. The Tribe has flourished," Reness chanted. Eace was still weeping, her eyes closed, but she"d stopped crying out.
"This is our burden, this is our pain."
"Our babes are taken. Our arms are empty." Reness"s voice was a whisper. Eace stared up into her eyes.
I bit my lip, wanting desperately to go get the babies and place them in her arms. But it was clear that this was part of their world and their tradition. Eace"s sorrow was deep, and reflected in the eyes of every woman around us.
"This is our burden, this is our pain." The other women were hugging each other, arms on each other"s shoulders, forming a circle around Eace. I was included, wrapped in the press of their bodies. Eace was nodding her acceptance now, although her pain was still there, raw and ugly. She whispered along with Reness, "This is the price of our freedom."
The tent was silent, then Reness leaned forward, placing a kiss of Eace"s forehead. "You have served the Tribe well, child. Bare your arm, and receive your tattoos." She stood, smiling. "Then we will dance, yes?"
The women around us cried out in joy. Some were bringing out new supplies, and calling the men back in to the tent.
Eace frowned then shifted on the table, putting her hand on her flaccid stomach. "I thought you were go ing to cut the babes free? How do I live?"
Amyu spoke. "I brought the Xyian healer."
Eace"s eyes widened. "Did she bring me back from the snows?"
"No." I wasn"t going to let that rumor start. "I used my skills to cut the babes out, Eace. You will be well,
although it will take time to heal. Sleep is the best thing."
Eace just looked at me in astonishment. The theas started moving then, and Reness pulled me back, out
of their way as they prepared to tattoo Eace"s arm. She gestured for Amyu, who moved over by us reluctantly.
"She will heal?" Reness asked me, and at my nod, pressed further. "Will she bear again?"
I shook my head. "I don"t know. That is in the hands of the elements."
"Her milk will come?"
"It should." I bit my lip. "Will she feed her own babes?"
Reness shook her head in response, gathering up my satchel to put it in my hands. "No. She"ll nurse
others."
"And what happens if she can"t bear more?" I asked, curious. "I know that you require five before-"
Reness"s eyes flickered to Amyu for a moment, and I followed her look to see that Amyu was in the
process of putting on her tunic. She froze under our gaze, but all I could see was her left arm. Her bareleft arm. No tattoos.No children. Amyu had no children. My eyes met hers, and I saw another kind of pain in their depths.Reness frowned. "You must return to your tent, before your absence is discovered. Go now."Startled, I protested. "Eace must be watched for signs of-""We will do that." Reness threw my cloak over my shoulders. Amyu was pulling on her tunic.
"But..." I didn"t want to leave my patient without aid. "You could have a warrior-priest check-"
Reness barked a laugh. "What warrior-priest would trouble themselves over a birth?"
I stared at her, dumbfounded. Reness ignored my reaction, and hustled me out of the tent, Amyu following behind with my satchel. "We will watch her carefully, I swear it," Reness said. "Now go, and quickly."
Rafe and Prest were waiting, and we started back in silence, much to my frustration. Amyu avoided my eyes, and I didn"t press her with questions. I huffed out a breath, and pulled my cloak close around me. My questions could wait, until I"d had more sleep.
But as I left that tent, I knew one thing for certain. When the time came, if the time came, no one was tak ing my babe from my arms.
Unless I was dead.
I broke Amyu"s silence at breakfast. She served kavage and food, and then tried to bow herself from the room, but I spoke first. "Amyu."
She stopped, clearly not happy, her eyes down.
"Amyu-" Now that I"d started I wasn"t sure what to say."I am barren." Amyu"s voice was flat, her face void of any emotion. "I have not quickened since my moontimes came on me." She didn"t look up, didn"t move, but her hands clenched into fists. "I have prayed tothe elements and tried every remedy suggested by countless theas and initiators. I even managed toconvince a warrior-priest to treat me, but still my body will not bear." She remained unmoving, but herknuckles were white. "What once brought pleasure is now almost too painful to suffer."
"Amyu." I gestured to the stool opposite mine, but she did not move. "I don"t-"
"I was chosen to serve you, because even if I was contaminated by your ways, it would not matter."