Chapter 113 Pt.2:

Anton glanced back to Irso as she followed at the rear of their group. Despite being a Beast-kin in a human city she didn't shy away or cower as the humans looked at her, something that many of the others were still doing, though it was diminishing every moment. He didn't know if she just held herself in a high regard or held no fear. He reasoned it was most likely the second as she spent most of her time and energy trying to keep Eider and Ulyaa safe with little regard for her own safety. Also, her natural strength and clawed weapons were more than enough to reinforce that attitude. There was also her general appearance. Her clothes were ratty and raged compared to theirs, something that she and the other Beast-kin didn't appear to have a problem with. It was something that Anton wanted to deal with relatively quickly. The Beastkin girls, including Irso, has many holes in their clothes. It allowed tantalizing glimpses at the body beneath. While Anton was not so inclined it might be enough to make someone do something very stupid, and receive a clawed swipe in return.

Ulyaa said that she'd be willing to donate her silk to us. I can't really ask about that now though...

"How much further?" Irso asked.

Verona looked back. "We've barely even started walking." A faux exasperation filled her voice. "And you're already tired?"

"No," Irso grumbled. "But if this is the place that I'm going to work in I want to know how long it takes to get there."

"Fair enough." Verona chuckled and looked forward, avoiding the angry stare coming from behind.

Atros had been designed as a series of concentric rings with large stone walls separating them. With only a few gates through the walls, it limited the directions one could take. Thankfully the rings had been designed to allow a wide street to run along the middle. The street they currently were walking passed right by the smithy.

These streets...One day, when Atros is truly safe, where we don't have to worry about Goblins or Kobolds, when the people look past the differences of their flesh and when we have an actual economy, I wonder if these streets are going to turn into those of Porswea? Bustling with noise and activity. That would be something. Something I could say that I had a hand in making.

"It's not that far," Anton replied after spending some time lost in his thoughts. "Though...With everything surrounding it made from wood, we may need to move it or a fair few houses."

"Was that a problem in Seocuria?" Verona asked, leaning towards Irso. "Since you worked in one. I remember that it looked pretty dry there."

Irso glanced at Kal, a smirk grew on her face. "Sometimes. And not all of them by accident."

Verona laughed. "You guys aren't beaten down yet."

"If the masters get what they want they tend to not care what we do." Irso chuckled. "Even if it's keeping our pride together."

"That's something that I've been meaning to ask." Anton slowed down so Irso was closer. The Drakeling looked a little nervous as she glanced at Kal. "But the Seocurian Empire has had your kind in chains for many, many generations. Long enough to realise at least one breed is dangerous and make a new one. You haven't known anything else and yet you can still be so defiant. I mean Kal's spent the last twenty winters fending for herself but at least she wasn't being beaten. Even in the Auction House I saw a Beastkin lifting a purse from a buyer."

Irso laughed, the crackle in her voice was much louder than normal, happy almost. "That's fantastic. Some prissy rich noble just got robbed by a servant they barely even consider alive." Irso chuckled and calmed her demeanour. "The elders, if you can really call them that, are the ones that teach us. Tell us stories of the Old Gods and of a time when we were free. I think Kal must have been enamoured with some of those stories."

Kal smirked as her tail flicked through the air. Out of everyone in Atros she had the greatest faith in the Old Gods. They had brought her to Atros and, while it may come across as a little arrogant, to him. She had good reason to continue her faith. He hadn’t asked why Marion had faith in the Old Gods, or why any other Beast-kin knew about them. And doubly so why they kept their faith during their enslavement.

"Surely they would have faded with time." Anton continued. "Each generation would have lost pieces of information or considered them not important."

Irso smiled and puffed out her chest, one modest but only in comparison to those that surrounded him. "Nobody messes with the Drakelings. And we live to be very old, older than humans and other Beastkin. That's more than enough time to learn everything and pass it on to the next generation of Drakelings. Or any Beastkin that's willing to listen to a story."

"You must know a lot then." Cetina smiled, though it faded as Irso looked increasingly more awkward.

"I...I don't have that good of a memory. I can only remember a few of the things and they're the things that everyone already knows." Irso shrugged. "Guess that's why they wanted me to have children instead."

"Sounds like you weren't given much of a choice," Cetina said sadly.

Irso grunted. "Not really. But you don't always have a good choice. But I don't want to talk about that anymore. Something different...Okay, what sort of weapons will I have when we go and deal with these Goblins?"

"Cetina?" Anton asked. "What sort of weapons do you think would be best for Irso?"

Cetina looked Irso up and down, receiving a look of derision from the Drakeling. "I think something simple would be best. Perhaps a sword and shield? You used a mace before, right?"

Irso nodded. "To smash some Goblins heads in, yes. But all I did was just swing and miss most of them."

"You did well for your first time." Kal looked at Anton. "Even if someone put you into battle a little early."

"There's never a time when someone's ready to have their first battle," Anton said.

I'm lucky enough that I haven't had to fight in melee yet. Not against a horde of Goblins, Kobolds or angry humans. I'd probably freak out.

"And since you don't have the reach that someone like Rasha has I think a sword and shield would be best."

"What about my claws?" Irso brandished them into the air. The light glinted off the razor-sharp edges. "These can easily cut through skin and hide."

Cetina pulled a worried face. "You don't want to get too close to your opponent. And if you have to get right next to them to land an attack you're also in their range. It's just too risky."

"Better to lose a piece of metal than your hand," Anton added softly.

Irso grunted as she nodded. "Fair enough. I definitely want a shield too. A good one. Not something that's going to break after one hit."

"Some of the Goblins used wooden shields." Anton mused. Mount Aspire loomed in the distance. "Just that was enough to give us some serious problems." Anton glanced back. "We only had about twenty bows between us too."

"What about..." Verona glanced at Irso. "What about Eider and Ulyaa?" Irso glared at Verona. "Just in case they decide to come along. Any ideas?"

"Eider would have a sword and shield like Irso." Cetina cut in before Irso could retort. "I don't know what sort of armour you two could wear-"

"I think that's going to be the main problem," Anton said. "Even with Jonathan working flat out I don't know if there will be enough for everyone to be fully kitted out. We're going to have to settle for something like you've got, Cetina. Simple armour that protects the important places."

"Your armour looks different to everyone else's." Irso frowned lightly at Cetina, her eyes focusing on her chest plate. "Where did you get it?"

"From Bebbezzar." Cetina smile faintly. "My home. It was given to me...And it's saved me a few times so far."

Irso nodded once.

"What's your...scales like deflecting a blade?" Anton asked.

"A bit better than your skin." Irso shrugged. "But not that good. It doesn't cover me completely, unlike Eider."

"For now you're just going to have to avoid getting hit."

"That's the idea."

"And Ulyaa?" Anton asked. "I think she might be a bit more difficult than these two."

Cetina frowned as she held her chin. "I...I don't even know if she should go into battle."

Irso frowned. "What do you mean? Do you think she's not good enough to fight with you?"

"No. No." Cetina tried to wave down the angry Drakeling. "It's just that...well, she's too big to fight properly."

Irso glanced down to her chest then to Cetina's, her eyes filled with a silent rage.

"Not that." Cetina chuckled. "Though that is kind of a problem."

Anton silently agreed, he saw Verona nodding as well.

"Balance can be thrown off." Cetina coughed loudly. "But I meant that she's too wide."

Irso cocked her head. "Wide? She's not fat. No slave is ever fat."

"I mean her body is too wide." Cetina turned to face Irso. "The…Spider body. If you were to swing a sword at me, downwards, and you missed my shoulders, it would hit the ground. Yes?"

"Yes? I still don't..."

"But with Ulyaa." Cetina looked at Anton. "There's a good chance it would hit her lower body."

"And probably chop off a leg," Anton said. "If not it'll dig into her lower body."

"Oh..."

"And she can't stand in formation with someone else." Cetina smiled bitterly. "A shield that would cover her...width, would be too heavy to use properly. I don't think even Rasha or Kristof could use it properly. And if someone were to hit the edges of it the shield would just spin and leave her open to another attack."

"I didn't think of that." Verona mused.

"I don't think she could use a bow either." Kal brushed a hand over her chest, making sure that Irso was watching. "The string and her chest won't mix well."

"That sounds very painful." Anton winced.

"Getting slapped in the tits with a fast piece of string isn't fun." Verona chuckled. "Hurts for some time too."

"So she can't fight?" Irso asked. "Even if she wants to?"

"I wouldn't say that." Cetina smiled. "But it might be tricky for her. I think the best thing would be a spear, so she can keep enemies away and a crossbow, so she can fight at range. Using a crossbow gets rid of the problem that she would face with a bow."

"All three of us are thankful for chest armour," Verona whispered to Anton.

"If they agree to come I hope that's what they get." Irso appeared a little more confident after hearing Cetina's analysis. "And they'd better not be given rubbish pieces too just because they're Beastkin. If I find that those Seocurians didn't and we did..."

"I know that Jeff doesn't have a problem with the Beastkin." Anton grimaced slightly. "I don't know if I can say the same for the others..."

Irso pursed her lips as they walked in silence.

---[]---

Two young children sat outside the Smithy, holding a small white animal between them. Shawn and Jocelyn rested upon some large crates, idly swinging their legs as they patted and scratched a surprisingly docile Luna. The noise emanating from within the smithy was loud but not deafening.

We're going to need some hearing protection. Either that or we heal the Smiths and their apprentices every day. It could be good practice for people with Tethra's glyph. If we ever get any more.

"Hey, Anton!" Shawn yelled, startling Jocelyn and Luna.

Luna, upon seeing them approach, rose up but wasn't game enough to jump down. She settled for waiting patiently in their arms as it was clear they were coming for her.

"She wasn't too much trouble for you, was she?" Anton asked.

The twins laughed. "She's been fine." Jocelyn scratched just above her short tail. "She hasn't really moved until you came here."

"I knew the little rascal could behave herself." Anton gave her a little scratch before looking into the loud Smithy. "Is your father in? We've got someone that might want to work here."

The twins looked around Anton towards Cetina and Irso. They couldn't make up their mind as to who Anton was referring.

"Irso. Have you met Shawn and Jocelyn? They're the children of the head smith, Jonathan."

"Not properly," Irso said as she approached them. "I saw them go into that building but that's it."

"Are you a half breed like Kal?" Shawn asked, his voice devoid of any malice.

"No." Irso frowned as her tail gently swung low to the ground, a bad sign for a Beastkin. "Why would you think that?"

"You look a lot more like Kal than the other Beastkin." Shawn continued. "At least your face does."

He nodded to Irso's feet. As she didn't wear boots or any sort of covering her large claws were exposed as to were the scales the covered some of her skin. So too were her hands.

Irso's chuckled lightly. "I suppose you could see it that way. But I'm not. I'm a full Drakeling Beastkin." Her eyes glanced towards Kal. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Kal raised a brow but said nothing.

"Is your father in?" Anton asked again.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Yes," Jocelyn replied. "He's in the back room again. Zac came around just before so I think they're talking in there."

"Thanks."

"I'm going to wait out here." Verona moved to a crate beside the twins. "It's really noisy in there and I don't think that we're going to be much help."

"I..." Kal wasn't sure what to do. She looked between Verona and himself, her hands fidgeting while her tail remained perfectly stationary.

"Wait out here for us, Kal," Anton said. "We won't be too long. And I know how much that noise hurts your ears."

"Thanks." Kal smiled as she took a seat next to Verona.

"I'll wait here as well," Cetina said. "I don't think anyone in there is going to harm you."

"Come on, Irso." Anton started walking towards the door. "Let's see what Jonathan has to say."

"You can't order me around," Irso grumbled as she followed.

The interior of the Smithy was still deafening as a dozen men hammered and crafted metal into usable shapes. While it hurt Anton's ears just to be inside Irso appeared to be perfectly fine. Either that or she was very good at hiding the pain.

A Smith, probably the same one Anton saw when he came in earlier, pointed to the back room. Again he could see Jonathan and the back of a very large man that resembled a bear. Zac, to be precise. Anton gave a curt nod and walked through the busy smithy, making sure that Irso stayed close.

Jonathan spotted them approaching. Zac frowned as he turned to face them but instantly lightened when he recognized them, at least Anton.

"Hello again," Anton said as he entered the room. The roaring cacophony of noise dimmed the moment he passed the wooden wall. Irso stood by the other side of the door.

"What brings you to the Smithy?" Anton asked Zac.

"Need to get my winnings." Zac laughed. "Jonathan's lost twice now, you'd think he'd start listening to me."

"I will win the next one."

"That's what you said the last time and look how that turned out. This time the bets are all over the place, so who knows who will win this time."

Anton didn't want to inquire as to what the bets were about, especially since they revolved around his personal life. He decided to ignore it and move on.

"Irso. These are two important men in Atros. This is Johnathan." Jonathan gave a small wave. "And this is Zac. He’s in charge of construction and mining."

Zac laughed heartily. "That last one was forced on me. I just told them to get to work one day and the next thing I know everyone is asking me about that stuff. I really would like to get back to building."

"If someone else comes up with that sort of experience we'll definitely see about putting them in that position."

Zac nodded and grunted his approval.

"So, if you're not too busy, Jonathan, I'd like to introduce you to Irso. She's a Drakeling Beastkin and worked in a forge in Seocuria."

"Hello, Irso." Jonathan wasn't sure if he was supposed to shake her hand so he gave her a small wave. Irso appreciated the gesture. "Welcome to the Atros Smithy."

"A Drakeling?" Zac asked aloud. "I hate to say this but you look a bit like Kal..."

Anton felt his nerves tingle as Irso's eye twitched and her clawed fingers flexed. It was easier to forgive the question when it came from a child.

"No. I am not a half breed. I am a Drakeling, descendants of dragons, and not the result of a slave master forcing himself on a woman."

Anton turned to Irso, a frown on his face. Irso's tail tucked itself between her legs as she mumbled an apology.

"Sorry I asked that," Zac said. "Out of all the Beastkin I've seen there's only...two, maybe three, that I thought might be a half breed Beastkin. Since everyone here knows about Kal."

"I..." Irso scratched her scaled ear. "I suppose it could look that way."

"Who's the other one?" Anton asked. He was genuinely curious, as really it was only Irso that could possibly pass off as a half breed.

"That spider woman." Zac frowned lightly. "Though...now that I think about it she's probably not. I'm sure there's a reason that she looks like that."

Maybe it's related to how the Beastkin came into existence. Some are clearly unnatural, like Ulyaa. A fusion of a creature and a human. But I haven't heard anything like the Arachnids were created like the Cobras were. Perhaps it was just so long ago. Something to ask her next time.

"Irso is apparently quite resistant to heat." Anton continued. "The Seocurians put them into the forges for that reason." The two cocked their heads. "A lot of Beastkin have fur. And fur doesn't mix well with sparks and embers."

"Smells awful too." Irso flicked her tail. Zac laughed as he shook his head.

If you were to work here you'd smell awful.

Judging by Irso's quick glance over Zac's exposed body, the strong body covered by a considerable amount of hair, she came to the same conclusion.

"I think Irso would make a great fit here." Anton looked out to the busy smiths and apprentices. "So long as they are fine with it."

"Good point." Zac turned to Jonathan. "How good a hold do you think you have on them?"

Jonathan scratched his head. "I do not know. Up until very recently, there was only one Beastkin here and she did not come here. At least without you by her side. And they are all from Qaiviel too."

"Might be difficult then?" Irso folded her arms and leant against the wall. "Should've expected that."

"They're just going to have to get used to it," Anton said. "When they found out that Kal was a Beastkin they didn't freak out, or call for her head. So it should be fine. Seems like it's the Church of the Holy Father that hates them the most, most people didn't really care. Though Duchess Belinda said that was true for people on the western side of the kingdom. The centre and east are far more zealous."

"If you say so." Zac looked at Irso's hands, specifically her claws. "Though if someone tries something I think that those are going to come in use."

Irso chuckled as she flexed her hand. The echoing crackle felt lighter than normal. "Wouldn't be the first time."

"If you wish to work here, Irso, I will not stop you," Jonathan said. "Do you want to start today? I have some busy work that needs doing, moving some things around and restocking the stores inside the Smithy. It is not forge work but it needs to be done."

Irso nodded. "Sure. It was getting a little difficult to just sit and wait for the sun to set. No Beastkin has had that chance before."

"I bet you’re glad to be free of that place." Zac grimaced as he folded his arms. "Sounds like it was hell."

Irso smiled, exposing many of her large teeth. "That it was. And I hope to never see it again."

"Sounds like you all might want a good drink tonight." Zac laughed. "I might run out of alcohol. How much do the big ones drink?"

Irso tilted her head. "Do you mean tall or wide?" She flashed Anton a look.

"Um. I don't really know." Zac frowned lightly. "Some of you are pretty big..."

"I didn't think slaves would be given the opportunity to even think about getting drunk." Anton mused. "Not when it would harm productivity."

"Never had the chance." Irso shrugged lightly. "Some made their own with rotting fruit but they often ended up raped, so I didn't try it."

The room went utterly silent, even the clamour of the smithy felt distant. Irso kept her face straight and flat. She didn't feel embarrassed or anything really for stating a fact about her past life.

"That..." Zac glanced at the ceiling. "I haven't heard that happening here."

"Not for a long time." Jonathan frowned. "Last time it happened was before you arrived, Anton."

"Hm." Anton held his bearded chin. "We should probably remind everyone what the punishment for crimes are. Especially for when things settle down, that's what I'm worried about."

Irso frowned lightly.

"There may be some, and it only takes one, of course, to see a Seocurian and try to enact a...what would you call it? A symbolic revenge. And if and when they do they will be dealt with accordingly."

"That's what you were talking about when we arrived."

"Yes. I'd prefer not to see a Beastkin hanging from a pole but if they commit a crime they will be punished just like any human would be."

"Sounds fair." Irso kicked herself off the wall. "Might be a good idea to say something like that over dinner. Just in case." Irso clapped her hands. "So where do you want me? No point standing here and talking all day."

"Follow me then." Jonathan exited the small room, making sure that Irso followed. She gave a quick nod to Anton before she disappeared from sight.

"Are these Drakelings always grumpy?" Zac asked.

"No idea. It could just be her...I think it might just be who she is. I don't know. But Zac, how do you make that alcohol anyway? I've been meaning to ask but I've never gotten a real answer."

"It's a secret." Zac winked. Very off-putting, a man as large as him trying something like that. Eventually, he cracked and a smile crept over his face. "Only kidding. I make it in a building next to my house."

"I'm just thinking that if we could make more we could sell it and start making some money for Atros. It’s only one revenue stream but it's a start."

"If you're not busy I could show you it."

"Sorry. After dropping off Irso we need to see Sam. Check on how her pregnancy is going."

"Ah. I think she's doing okay. Last few days she's been a bit ill, but with the Goblins..." Zac shrugged. "After you've done that come and see me at my workshop in the south. I'll be there all of today, the miners are helping with the stone and wood managed to haul in before we had to shut the gates, and I can show you then."

"Great...Oh. There's a woman that's currently travelling with us. You may have seen her, she's the one with the eyepatch."

"Yep. She was riding the biggest horse."

"Yeah. Don't give her any alcohol. Of any kind."

"She a light drinker?"

Anton sighed. "I don't think so. And that's the problem. I don't want her to drown her problems in drink so..."

"I understand. Nothing for the eyepatch girl."

"Thanks. I'll see you later then." Anton turned to leave. "Don't bring out too much booze for tonight. Otherwise, we might have a hard time corralling everyone back home."

Zac laughed as he slapped Anton on the back as they left the Smithy.

---[]---

Luna, as ever, squirmed in Anton's arm. While he did want her to be free and get some exercise there was the chance that she could get lost of trodden off if she decided to bolt after a potential source of scratches. Nonetheless, she seemed happy to return to their side.

"When was the last time we went to Jeff and Sam's house?" Anton asked Verona.

Verona shrugged. "Don't know. Probably...Probably before we left for Maxill the first time. So before Kal showed up."

Anton chuckled. "That's a long time then."

Considering that he had only been in this world since the beginning of spring, with autumn having barely even started, it was only a few months. But things could change very quickly here, the two women either side were a testament to that.

"And which house are we looking for?" Cetina asked. She kept her hand on the hilt of her sword as she looked around.

"Last time it had a large skull hanging over the front," Anton replied. "And I'm sure there were some of those blue flowers out the front as well."

"Oh. We need to get some of those." Verona's eyes turned misty.

Her old home, now torn down, had a row of some pretty blue flowers outside. They were the only thing in good condition at her old home, including herself.

"A proper garden would be nice." Kal's tail swished behind her, like a snake through the air. "We'd had to have someone to look after it when we're gone but..." Kal smiled at him and Verona. "Some flowers would be nice to wake up to."

Anton made a note to get the garden underway as soon as possible.

They found Jeff's house fairly quickly. The buildings nearby had been improved but his house had remained almost untouched. Though it was one of the better ones and probably even better than Anton's current home. Two empty chairs sat to the side of the door underneath the veranda. Verona chuckled upon seeing them and shook her head.

"Shouldn't Jeff have someone here?" Kal asked as Anton was about to knock on the door. "I mean, his wife's pregnant and he's in command of the military of Atros. If someone wanted to attack us this would be a great place to attack. Pregnant women can't defend themselves easily."

"Experience?" Anton asked.

"Graterious. Bandits raided a village I was sleeping near when I had just left Seocuria. The pregnant women didn't stand a chance. Most of the men survived but..." Kal shrugged. "It's hard to keep a place going when most of the women and children are dead."

Verona and Cetina grunted. It wasn't a pleasant image.

"I'll have a chat with Jeff when we're done." Anton knocked loudly. "We need to make sure our own house is secure. It wouldn't be too hard for someone to sneak in right now."

"Not a nice thought..." Verona spoke softly.

A light thudding, footsteps, came from behind the door. Slowly the door opened, a face peered around the side.

"Hello." Sam's tired and somewhat exhausted face lightened upon seeing them. "Jeff said that you were back. And you'd brought a lot more than just you three." Sam glanced at Cetina.

"Yes. It was quite a journey. Can we come in? Save you from standing up."

"Of course. We've got enough seats in the dining room."

Sam opened the door fully but had already turned away before Anton could get a look at her stomach. She was only four to five months pregnant at most. There should be some clear signs but her stomach wouldn't be so large that she would have to waddle, at least yet. Anton smirked at the idea of Verona and Kal waddling with swollen stomachs.

Sam led them through to a large room with a long wooden table and six chairs surrounding it. She took her seat at the head and exhaled loudly. Already she was suffering. And she had a long way to go before she could give birth.

Maybe that's why it hasn't been successful. At least, until now.

Anton took the seat next to Sam, catching a glimpse of her stomach. It had grown a little but since she, and everyone else, wore loose clothing it was hard to tell. Her bust may have grown slightly but Anton wasn't too sure.

If Verona's get any bigger I'm sure she'll hurt her back. And Kal won't be having much fun either.

When everyone had taken their seats Sam loudly clapped her hands. "So, Jeff tells me that you've brought a wholesale bunch of Beastkin back to Atros. Did you find your mother, Kal?"

"We did. And we managed to rescue my old friends too."

"And what about humans with really dark skin? What is that?"

"We found some refugees from the Seocurian Empire and brought them back after their home was overrun by Goblins."

Sam stretched her arms over her head. "Those little bastards kept me awake with worry. Every little creak and groan I heard I thought it was them about to burst into our bedroom and carry me away. Like they did to Dana. Poor girl." Sam rubbed her stomach, it had grown a little. "I can't begin to imagine what it was like in those tunnels and caves. But thank the Old Gods you three returned and got rid of them. It really wasn't doing my baby any good."

"That's why we've come." Anton smiled. "To make sure that everything goes well with your pregnancy."

"I really hope it does." Sam gently rubbed her stomach. "Jeff can't go through another one. He was so happy when I told him I was pregnant. I can't lose this one."

Sounds like more than one miscarriage. I don't know how either of you would feel about that. To say that it has probably put a strain on your relationship would be an understatement. If Verona and Kal looked like that and they lost theirs...I don't know what I'd do.

"Verona's told me it's been difficult for you. If you'll let us I'd like to cast a healing prayer over you and your baby. Just to be safe."

"Okay." Sam frowned, reached out and held Anton's hand. "But what about if you aren't here and something goes wrong?"

"Kal can use the prayer magic just like I can." Sam appeared genuinely surprised. "Better than me, actually."

"He's just saying that so I get embarrassed." Kal's tail swayed pleasantly through the air.

"So, can we?"

"I would be so happy if you would." Sam moved the chair so she faced him. "Do you need to touch my stomach or...?"

"It might help." Anton looked to Kal. "Do you want to do this?"

"I don't know. Are you alright with me doing this?"

Sam chuckled. "Kal, it doesn't bother me in the slightest that you're a Beastkin. And I'm not going to freak out because I feel one of your claws poking my stomach. Anton trusts you and that's more than enough for me."

Kal's face reddened ever so slightly as she moved in front of Sam. Her tail moved very happily, even if she tried to remain calm and composed. She knelt and laid her hand upon her stomach.

"What...I know. Tethra, Goddess of Prayer, heal this woman and the child within her. May her pregnancy be without incident and the child born healthy."

Kal's breathing quickened, a foot slid back to steady herself and her tail stopped moving. Sam looked slightly worried before Kal exhaled loudly and smiled.

"It's done. You and your baby should be healthy for your whole pregnancy." Kal chuckled. "They're going to be fine."

"They?" Everyone asked together.

"Yes. I think that's why it took so much mana out of me. I said only one baby."

"Twins?" Sam held Kal's hand, completely uncaring about the differences between them. "Twins? Are you seriously telling me that I have two babies inside of me?"

"At least two," Kal answered flatly. "That's what it felt like. It could be more, I don't know."

Sam covered her mouth and held her stomach. "After waiting for so long I finally have a child and it turns out to be twins." Sam reached down and pulled Kal up for a hug. Kal's body, not entirely prepared for contact, turned completely rigid, her hands sticking out to avoid contact while her tail stayed still. "Thank you, Kal. Thank all of you."

"We didn't do much." Verona looked at Cetina. "Again."

Kal coughed and Sam gently relinquished her hold. Kal took her seat next to Verona as Sam rested her elbows on the table, holding her head in her hands.

"I feel so much better now. I've been sort of moping about all day but now I have lots of energy. Now I can actually leave the house and go for walks now. Get some sunlight and fresh air."

"All of that is going to be good for the babies." Anton smiled. "Jeff is supposed to be at the Training Fields right now. We're about to go there, do you want to come with us?"

"Absolutely." Sam delicately stood up. "Maybe that prayer stuff of yours can't fix everything but it's damn close. I still feel a bit odd but that's probably because I've got another person growing inside of me."

Sam laughed again as she turned to the door. Kal stayed behind the other girls and flashed him a look, that she wanted to talk. Verona understood the look and brought Cetina to the front with her, leaving Anton and Kal at the back.

"Something wrong?" Anton whispered to Kal as they exited the house.

"I used nearly all my mana to do that," Kal replied. Anton was grateful she was almost the same height. "And I haven't used any today. I could make dozens of those arrows but that nearly made me fall over."

Anton looked ahead. Cetina, looking very distressed, was speaking with Sam, while Verona watched on smug. Interrogate was probably a better term. Verona had told him that she had deftly lifted all the secrets about their relationship. Thankfully she didn't have the time since Kal joined. He really didn't want her to know and judge them. Or offer Verona unsolicited advice.

"So long as they are fine now," Anton whispered. "We'll get some Karak fruit before we start trying to make the portals."

Kal nodded. "I...I just got the feeling that she, and the babies, wouldn't have survived the pregnancy. I can really say where that's from but...my heart tells me that. Maybe it was Tethra that told me that."

Anton kissed Kal's lips then her forehead. "Then it's a good thing we were here then. Don't tell anyone that. Okay?" Kal nodded seriously. "Come on. Let's stop Sam before she manages to break Cetina with her questions."