Chapter Four
“Eat. You are so pale you are nearly blue.” Myetta grinned and put the tray across Minya’s lap.
“Hah, hah. Too late for you then.” Minya smiled.
Myetta looked at her hands. “Pretty much. It is nice to see you home, wee one.”
Minya snorted at the nickname. “Thanks. I didn’t expect it to take this long.”
“You were only gone for a total of three days. Did you really meet a Drai?”
“Yes, but he was shifted at the time. I guess the dormancy capability is found in the larger dragon shape.”
“Wow, that is clinical.”
“Well, that was what I went to school for. Why didn’t you go?”
Myetta shrugged. “I never really felt the urge to know all of that. I like being a half-assed medic and okay midwife. It leaves more time for fun.”
Minya chuckled and ate her breakfast as neatly as possible while her stomach was snarling.
“Do you think you are up to helping with the festivities?”
Minya nodded. “Of course. Which comes first?”
“The longest night will come first, so we can sneak Christmas in afterward.”
Minya smiled. “I kind of like that Mom changes it up.”
“Christmas takes more cooking, and the djinn weren’t around on Gaia for the first celebrations.”
“I know. I know Mom’s stories just as well as you do, Mite.”
Her sister stuck out her tongue and left Minya to get dressed. She yawned, stretched and flipped back the covers, using the lavatory before returning to think about what she wanted to wear. She could feel magic returning to her bones.
Magic was a funny thing. Hundreds of species denied its existence, but once you had experienced it, there was no refuting that it was an actual force.
Now that she had spent time without it, she enjoyed doing things for herself without the flick of a finger. Humming, she went to her wardrobe and found a suitable outfit for her new Master Elite status.
It took three tries, but she finally picked out a gem-studded outfit of breast band, flaring skirt, and a sleeveless robe that hung to her heels.
Her hair was wrapped in a gold net that kept it from getting too excited around magic, and she put on gold slippers that completed her ensemble.
A lifetime of wearing the djinn clothing should have made her feel at home again, but the physical freedoms that had been offered by the bodysuits were a hard act to follow.
Minya checked the mirror again, and she scowled at the small speck of something on her abdomen. She got closer and scratched at it. The fleck of green disappeared. Huh. Weird.
She made sure that the speck was gone, and then, she left her rooms.
The bustle of morning at the High Prefect’s palace went on around her as she walked toward her mother’s office.
Her father was standing next to his wife when Minya entered the room. Without saying anything, he came around and gave her a hug.
She enjoyed the sudden feeling of homecoming and smiled up at him. “Thanks, Dad.”
He tapped a finger to her nose. “You are more than welcome, Minny. It is good to have you home again.”
“It is good to be home. That was a rocky descent.”
She stepped back, and her mom came in for the same treatment.
Once her parents had been informally greeted, she bowed low. “It is an honour to have been allowed to return.”
Her mother grinned. “How did you enjoy your education?”
“It was interesting, the situations were fascinating. I am still glad to be home.”
Her mother walked around her desk and took her seat again. “No one could catch your attention?”
“No.” She smiled at her father’s relieved expression.
Her mother chuckled. “We have one daughter wed already, we are in no hurry.”
“Have any of my brothers gotten attached to someone while I was gone?”
Her mother shook her head. “I am not going to mention anything until the fire is lit on the longest night.”
“I seem to have lost track. Is it tomorrow?”
“It is. The preparations were paused while we looked for you, but a little bit of effort and everything is now back on track.”
“Sorry to have caused trouble.”
Her father shook his head. “It was no trouble; we will always be there for our children. And, now, I must be there for our people. I will see you at the evening meal, Minny.”
He smiled at her and left the office.
Her mother looked at her with curiosity. “Have you had a chance to practice your skills?”
“I have. I even delivered a baby in the dead zone outpost with no talent to call on. That was scary. The men there were not inclined to let me in. Apparently, it is traditional to let the birthing mother die and then go out to fetch a new wife by abduction.” The stream of words in the language of Gaia streamed out of Minya. When she was done, she inhaled.
“Did you see many other pregnant women?”
“At least three. They were in their second trimester.”
Myka nodded. “Good. Then, we have time to set up some kind of dog sled or something.”
Minya knew where her mother was heading. She couldn’t help but assist women in need.
“If the idiots hadn’t closed the world when they first colonized it, this wouldn’t have happened. The inbreeding in the smaller communities really takes a toll. Well, that and the power that everyone is born with.”
Her mother rose to her feet and took a scroll off the bookshelf. “Come around, and we can discuss patients on record. I want you to come with me on my rounds.”
Minya smiled. “Really?”
“Yes. You are better at transport spells than I am.” Her mother winked. “I have three calls today in Sebrath village. Are you up for some travel?”
“I definitely am. The Citadel was almost as stifling as the palace is. Is this outfit fine?”
Myka laughed. “As long as you don’t have to catch a baby in it.”
“I will change into something more subdued.” Minya chuckled and left to do just that.
In the early days, Myka had tried to physically travel to all the villages, but once she had married D’hai, it was more practical to have him with her, so she rode a dragon or did a direct transport to the site. The villages reacted favourably to the speedy response to their requests.
Blue was the best colour for a birthing. It calmed the mother and was the colour of celebration. It was a positive colour.
Minya grabbed her med bag and slung it across her body. She would need both hands to transport her and her mother.
With soft boots instead of slippers on her feet, she sprinted through the halls and skidded to a halt in the area designated for transport and arrival.
Myka carried the scroll and her own med bag. She smiled brightly. “Ready?”
“Yes, Mom. Are any of the boys coming with us?”
“No. It will be just you and me today.”
Minya smiled and nodded. “Where are we going?”
“Sebrath village to start. We will see how things go. Do you have your communication orb?”
“I do. Ready for any and all calls.”
“Good. Shall we arrive back to back?”
Minya took up the stance that would let them protect the other from anything like a child’s ball to a vehicle.
“We are travelling in three... two... one.” Minya cast the spell, and they punched through the space of Dremarai and ended up in the precise spot she was aiming for.
“Well done, Minny.”
Minya looked down and nodded at her placement. “The mosaic helped.”
“It has held up rather well.” Her mother smiled and nodded. “Our first patient is this way.”
“I am at your disposal.”
“Oh, no. Today, I am merely keeping track of the appointments. You are the midwife.”
Minya nodded. “Okay. Who is the first patient?”
Myka grinned at her. “This way.”
The first mother was in for her first delivery, and as Minya did her examination, her mother took the notes.
“You are looking to be in great shape, Lida. You are due within the next two weeks?”
The woman smiled nervously. “I am. I think I have everything ready, but I am not sure.”
“The baby won’t care. It will have you and your husband, and it will be fine.”
Minya helped her sit up.
Lida whispered, “He is looking forward to it.”
“Do you know what signs to look out for? What will indicate that your time has begun?”
Lida quietly murmured the symptoms that were most obvious.
Minya glanced to her mother. “What were her mother’s signs?”
Myka chuckled. “She felt searing back pain, and then, her water broke.”
“Right. So back pain, twinges, even trouble straightening, and have us called. I will be here as quickly as I can.”
Lida nodded. “I will. What if it hasn’t started?”
“Then, I will go home and come back when it does. There is no shame in a false start.” She helped the woman to her feet.
Lida hugged her quickly and awkwardly.
Myka came toward her and murmured, “How long does she have?”
“Three days at the outside. The child is in position and ready to move.”
“Good assessment. I am in agreement. Do we warn her husband?”
Minya smiled. “Only if he asks the right question.”
Myka nodded. “Very well; he is waiting outside.”
Minya gave her mother a dark look, smoothed her features, and left the tent that had been erected for their visit.
“Midwife?” The nervous man stepped toward her.
“I am. It is nice to meet you, Nebriko.” She folded her hands against her abdomen and inclined her head.
“How is Lida? She looked nervous and ran for the necessary.”
Minya inclined her head again. “She is fine and healthy, as is the baby.”
He leaned toward her, blinking slightly with nervous tension. “When will the baby be here? We have been ready for weeks.”
Minya chuckled. “Technically, the babe is already here, but it will be in your arms within two weeks.”
He deflated. “Not sooner?”
“It will be here within two weeks. It could be three days, or it could be seven.”
She watched as he took in her hint.
“I understand. I will remain watchful and assist her as she needs it during the day.”
Minya chuckled. “Not too close, but stay within shouting distance.”
“Yes, ma’am. Do we call the palace when she starts?”
“Yes. Wherever I am, I will come at that call. Anytime, day or night.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Thank you for helping her here; now, get her home, surround her with as much comfort as she can stand, and then, stay out of her way. She will become more irritable, irrational, and her body is becoming a foreign zone preparing for the arrival. Understand that and enjoy your last days as a couple before you become a trio.”
He beamed, and when Lida returned from the lavatory, he put an arm around her back and massaged gently as they walked. Lida’s happy sigh could be heard for metres.
Myka nodded. “Well done. Not the way I would have done it, but you aren’t me, and they will have to get used to that. Now, Morial is on her way, and Nushel is carrying their toddler.”
Minya smiled at the woman who was on her third pregnancy and had her eldest by one hand.
“Good morning, Madam Morial, Father Nushel. I am Minya, and I will be your midwife today.”
The woman frowned. “Lady Myka has delivered my previous two. Why can’t she be my midwife?”
Myka picked up the four-year-old and held her on one hip. “My husband has been patient with my occupation, but soon, we will be grandparents, and with our children grown, we can spread the family occupations around.”
Morial looked at Minya. “How many babies have you delivered?”
“As of this week, one hundred and three.”
Nushel laughed. “That is good enough for me.”
Morial sighed. “We will see. Let’s get this over with.”
Minya rubbed her hands together and looked at her mother. “I do so love enthusiasm.”
Morial quieted when Minya purified her hands with blue flame. “You have your mother’s talent.”
“The signs are there. You have been in labour since yesterday.”
Morial sighed. “I know. I just didn’t want to give birth at home again. My mother-in-law steals the babies when they are born, and I want that to be my moment.”
“Steals them?”
“Takes them and bathes them before I can be with them. Your mother has offered to interfere, but I don’t want to put that on her.”
Minya winked at her. “You can put that on me. I have no problem getting into trouble.”
Morial nodded. “Shall I go home?”
“No, I think you are too far along for that. The head has begun to make its appearance, and I am going to have to prepare.”
She went into a controlled flurry of preparations, notified the father, and her mother asked, “Do you need help?”
“I will cry out if I do.”
“I will just play with little Morima then. I miss having little ones this age.”
With that vote of confidence, she returned to her patient and prepared to catch a very impatient baby.