December 3, 1 BCE, 10 pm, Sextus’s Estate – Rome.

Enid looked down at her dress. Then back to her sister. She couldn’t believe the surprise she’d just ambushed her with.

“Mariana, just so I am sure I understand what you just volunteered me for, we’re leaving for Judea, the asshole of Rome, three weeks before Father’s favorite feast day? You know its at least ten days by blood powered horse from here. Because its across Mare Nostrum! Also, we have to stop in Alexandrea, you know I hate Alexandrea. And that ten day is provided there is a fast ship heading that way!”

Mariana was already walking towards her estate. Enid rushed to catch up and she firmly declared: “I’m not telling father.”

Mariana nodded.

“Neither am I.”

“What are we just going to leave him scroll with hey yo, dad, be back in a bit? We always do all the prep work for the feast. He is depending on us.”

Mariana stopped at her front gates.

“Let the boys handle it. Better hurry or I’ll take Lavender.”

“You wouldn’t.”

Mariana smiled.

“You would. You….goat sucking brat.”

Enid rushed off altering time to suit her needs it was a trick unique to herself and Sextus. Other vampires could just move quickly. For Enid she could spend hours in an infinitely small sliver of time. Of course, she beat Mariana to the stables so when their father entered to see what the ruckus was he saw the youngest of his brood astride her favorite warhorse packed for long haul travel. Sextus reached up and patted Lavender on the side.

“Enid, why are you in your armor and on Lavender and not picking up the livestock?”

Enid shifted in the saddle.

“Mariana and I decided…too umm do that tomorrow night, we’re going to patrol for demons.”

“I see, so that is why you have a silver sword hanging from your saddle and not Bloodseeker which still hangs in your room’s wall?”

“Exactly.”

Enid facepalmed as she spoke. They both knew the only weapons against demons were wolf-born claws and the black blade.

“Funny how, Slays-Demons, the slayer of over a hundred demons, champion of the Winter Wolves forgot her demon-hunting weapon. While patrolling for demons. I wonder if she is feeling well. Perhaps she had some off blood and has lost her wits?”

Enid rolled her eyes and pondered why he just didn’t read her mind and get it over with instead of torturing her. She also silently cursed Mariana for her brilliance in sending her here first by threatening to take Enid’s favorite horse. All so she could get caught by their father and forced to tell him they were leaving. She muttered a few words under her breath.

“Mariana you bitch, a hundred years you’d think I’d be wise to it by now.”

Her father looked up at her.

“What was that?”

“Nothing father.”

“I’m glad, because it sounded like you called your sister a female dog.”

Enid feigned innocence.

“I would never!”

“I know. Now does this have anything to do with Plutonia actually talking to the two of you earlier?”

Enid’s shoulders slumped.

“We were going to leave a letter.”

“I would much rather hear it from your lips, daughter of my heart.”

Enid sighed.

“One of Plutonia’s kids is in trouble, that’s all I know. Mariana has the details.”

“And where has this wayward pup found themselves in this trouble?”

Enid groaned.

“Judea.”

Sextus stroked his immaculately trimmed brown beard.

“I ponder why she asked the pair of you who cannot fly to make such a journey.”

Enid shrugged.

“Look father, I protested, you know I hate Judea.”

“My precious daughter, you hate everything. Especially children.”

“Exactly. Why ask me?”

Sextus chuckled. Enid looked around for Mariana then almost snapped her fingers.

“Look father, you have all this preparation that needs to be done for Opis’s feast day, and I totally understand if you want us to stay and take care of it. It is very important to you…”

Sextus chuckled and shook his head.

“Enid, what is it I toast to every feast?”

Enid hung her head.

“That family is the most important thing above everything else and we need to be the pillars that hold our siblings aloft.”

He nodded and patted Lavender again. Enid looked up at the ceiling praying to the gods for intervention none came, even in the form of the lightning bolt Enid begged for.

“You’re going to let us go, aren’t you?”

“Of course, if your niece needs you, she needs you. Besides the boys have let you do the preparations for a hundred years, let’s make them do it this year.”

“We there is no way we will get back in time. I can’t make ships move any faster.”

“I know Enid, but something tells me you and Mariana need to do this.”

Enid made a face.

“Careful it will stay that way.”

“Lies.”

Sextus chuckled.

“Tell your sister you both have my blessings to go help my poor misguided great-granddaughter. Safe journeys Enid.”

“We will miss you father.”

“You will until you are having fun not preparing for the feast, then I’ll be a distant memory.”

Sextus wandered out of the stables, hands folded behind his back. Mariana shimmered into existence beside her usual horse, Hades. Enid glared at her.

“You…you!”

“Bitch?”

“Exactly.”

Mariana pulled herself up onto Hades and took the reins. Enid looked at her and the pair started to move out of the stables, neither having to duck because they were both short. Enid glared at her sister again.

“I can’t believe you did that, you were there the whole time weren’t you? He knew you were there too didn’t he?”

“He probably did.”

The pair laughed and started to gallop once they reached the outskirts of Rome. Horses who had the blood of vampires flowing in their veins also had the power to run very fast, faster then the cheetahs of the great plains to the south.

*****

December 23rd, 1 BCE, 11 pm, Jerusalem Outskirts

Enid and Mariana were galloping towards Bethlehem as fast as their horses could take them. They glanced up at each other every so often. They were overtaking their targets quickly. Enid swept behind them and used her silver sword to behead one before they were even aware they were in a fight. Mariana had done the same. What followed was a slaughter. Two spartan trained almost century old vampires against twenty mortal soldiers, there was only one way it would end.

Enid wiped her blade down with one of their cloaks. Her sister was doing the same. The started tossing the soldiers dense foliage that surrounded the road. Enid touched one of the blood splattered leaves.

“You know, for a desert, this place is pretty fertile.”

Mariana laughed. Enid picked up the last corpse and tossed it unceremoniously into the underbrush.

“Forgot one.”

Enid pointed. Mariana leaned down and picked up the head and threw it into the bush as well. Enid dusted her hands off.

“Why is the empire supporting this idiot anyway? Children? Pregnant women?”

Mariana shrugged.

“Doesn’t matter now does it? By the time someone notices this lot is gone we’ll have found Mary and we can keep her safe.”

“Okay so what did Plutonia say again?”

Mariana closed her eyes so she could focus better.

“She said that the host of heaven begs for the first daughter in god’s eyes, the avatar of life and her sister the shadow of death come to Judea and save the child of Mary, the son of God.”

“I still have no idea what that shit even means.”

“Well, Plutonia saw a vision of you and a vision of me. I can see why her gift might tell her I’m the shadow of death, but you, the avatar of life? Come on.”

“Are you sure that’s just not Plutonia spinning a gob of batshit to drag us into protecting her daughter who got pregnant out of wedlock? You get stoned for that stuff here.”

Mariana gave her sister the look the look that said so much without words. Enid threw up her hands.

“Well, what now sis?”

“We find our niece.”

“Excellent, lets find a girl named Mary somewhere in Judea. I’m sure its not a popular name, I mean it’s not like its featured prominently in the Hebrew holy writings or anything!”

Mariana nodded.

“You have a valid point.”

“And she’s pregnant?”

“Very pregnant.”

“What the hell are they thinking traveling when she is about to pop? I barely wanted to get out of bed.”

Mariana rubbed her fingers together.

“Probably the census.”

“Taxes.”

“Maybe trying to get counted when its only two of them.”

“Money. Mortals will risk their lives for so little.”

Mariana wasn’t paying attention to her sister by now she was staring at flaring star in the sky. She pointed to it.

“Perhaps a portent?”

Enid scoffed.

“Father told us those were just distant balls of fire that sometimes explode. It is just one exploding.”

Enid shrugged.

“But I have no better ideas. So, let’s go.”

Enid hopped onto Lavender who shifted under here in annoyance she had just been eating some tasty wild rye.

“Come on girl. Mariana thinks that a ball of fire is telling us where to go, lets go prove she’s as crazy as she sounds. I bet fifty aureus she’s just crazy.”

Lavender neighed in agreement.

“I’ll expect prompt payment sis.”

Enid made a face and the sisters galloped across the fields toward what would be called the Christmas star in the future. They travelled for ten minutes, a journey that would take a mortal on foot a day. As they crested a hill, they saw Enid snarled. Mariana gasped. Enid lept off of Lavender and landed with her feet her silver blade slamming through the back of a Roman soldier. His face was frozen in a look of shock as he had looked down to see the tip of a sword protruding from his armor. Enid kicked him off her blade. The five remaining soldiers who had been in the midst of tearing the faded blue dress of a tanned and very pregnant woman with long brown hair. Enid recognized her mother’s eyes anywhere. This was her niece. Mary pointed south. Enid let loose a scream and the Roman shoulders were flung backwards by her uncontrolled telekinetic blast. Enid stepped over her niece. She had left her shield on her horse. By now her fangs were out and she was ready to feast. Her childhood trauma made situations like this very triggering, and not in the curl up and cry way.

“Take Lavender find her man.”

Mariana whistled and Lavender followed her. The Romans were starting to get organized though they were quite hesitant to enter the fray with the red-haired animal in front of them wearing armor put their general’s regalia to shame. She seemed to control the very elements with her fury. Enid pointed her blood splattered silver blade at them.

“You shame Rome with your actions, barbarians! Mary look away, this is going to be messy.”

Enid flicked her sword at the Roman soldiers, none seemed ready to engage this fanged woman in front of them.

“What? You can attack a pregnant woman? But small red-haired girl too much for you?”

Enid flicked her wrist behind her and the gladius the Roman that was discarded by the soldier she’d already killed pieced the highest-ranking member of the group through the heart and he fell dead on the spot. Enid roared and lept at the rest cutting down all who met her blade with ease. By the time she’d finished her grim harvest she was gulping down the blood of the second last soldier. The last of their cohort had proven his valor by dropping his sword in terror and fleeing from the rampaging vampire. Enid lept through the air her knew hitting him in the back and slamming him to the ground with all her weight which with armor was quite considerable. He was dazed and groaning and trying to escape. She grabbed his leg and dragged him back. She rolled him over and straddled him. She was every bit the monster a vampire could be at the moment. Bits of flesh hanging from her teeth gore splattering her armor. Blood running down her chin from the messy feeding of battle.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Lost your lust for woman?”

He whimpered. Enid reached out her hand wrapping it around his neck she had every intention of slowly crushing the life out of him while she watched him die. The face she was seeing was fat and old with a red beard. She wanted nothing more then to watch it drained of life. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and expected to see Mary, but it wasn’t, it was a tall silver haired woman with shimmering wings of energy. All Enid could feel when she saw her was peace. Her hand relaxed of its own volition.

“Sister. That man is not your earthly father. He is just a child…at least by your standards. Show him mercy, if not for me, then for the one who yet remains unborn.”

Enid looked down to the Roman soldier beneath her. He was perhaps sixteen. She looked to Mary but no one was looking at her. They were all looking at the woman. She wasn’t crazy at least. The woman looked to Roman soldier with her silver eyes.

“You, Atticus of Athens, have a choice. You can continue down this road, where I assure you, will find my sister waiting, or you can choose a different path, one where you give instead of take. One where your descendants are known as great men of giving to their fellow man.”

The woman looked to Enid.

“Sister stand up.”

Enid was staring at her again and she stood up. The Roman soldier ran away as fast as his legs could carry him, discard his armor as he went. The woman reached out her hand and touched Enid’s chin, and started to sweep the blood from her chin and cheeks. She smiled at Enid.

“I’m glad you came. Father wished you to be here so much. Now go, the child will be here soon. We will speak again in the right time and place. Far from here on the shores of a great ocean.”

The woman smiled at Enid again then shimmered out of existence. Enid looked at herself and the blood was gone from her armor and hands. She touched her face it was also immaculate. She shook off the daze the woman’s presence had caused, and she moved towards Mary to help her up. Mary looked up at her as she grasped Enid’s hand tightly.

“You are my Aunt Enid.”

“Yes.”

“I remember you from when I was a child. You are married to Uncle Lucius.”

“I am.”

“Are you one of God’s angels?”

“No, angels are nonsense. Why would you think such a thing?”

“You move so fast, you are so strong, the men, they could not hope to force themselves on you…you are like the angels of wrath from the stories the holy men speak of. And Gabriel, she called you sister.”

“I have no idea who she was, but our family special Mary. Your grandfather, he’s a god. He made me into one. I serve only him.”

Mary held her swollen abdomen and pause wobbling on her feet.

“Are you feeling pain? Is it contractions?”

“I…no he was just kicking. I do not know the ways of being with child. Mother never spoke of it she told me we would speak when I was married, and it was time. But…”

“Don’t worry I’ve been through it twice and Mariana will be back before we know it and she’ll take care of everything. She’s a great midwife. She was taught by your grandmother.”

“And you?”

“Never good at being a healer. Mother says its because I have terrible bedside manner and speak to plainly. Trust me you want Mariana she’s the smarter of us. I am the pretty one.”

Mary laughed softly. As the pair had been walking slowly and speaking her sobs had turned to sniffles, which were now just teary remnants on her red cheeks.

“I feel safe now. Thank you, Aunt Enid.”

“I will not let anything happen to you or the baby. I swear my life on it. You are family. Now did you have a horse?”

“We did but she ran off.”

Enid looked around for a rock, or something for Mary to lean or sit on without having to use the ground. She found one and helped her too it.

“Just wait here. I will find it.”

Enid altered time and finally found the horse grazing a quarter of a kilometer away towards the south. Enid rode him back to Mary who was where she had left her.

“Here, get up, I’ll lead her.”

She lifted Mary as best she could and took the horses reins and kept a tight grip on them. She patted her gently as they walked. She spoke to the horse as she often did to animals in its own language.

“Shh girl. Shh. Nice smooth ride for Mary. She has a baby.”

The horse made an affirmative sound and the trio started moving towards the bright star.

“Why are we going this way Aunt Enid?”

Enid pointed to the star.

“Led us to you, now its leading us somewhere else? I’m hoping its shelter for the day.”

“What?”

“You really have no idea about the family do you?”

“No, mother never talks about the family anymore.”

“That’s because your grandfather turned one of your sisters who asked him too.”

“Turned?”

“We’re vampires, we drink blood. Your grandfather is the first vampire. The sun will burn me to ash, I can sink into the earth and become one with it to get out of the sun, but that isn’t going to protect you from the elements, or the Roman Soldiers. If we can find a cave, or a building, if they come I can rouse and defend you. In the sun, you’re on your own.”

“The pale ones.”

Enid nodded.

“Why would one of God’s Angels call a creature of darkness…sister?”

“I have no idea hon. I have no clue who she was. How do you know?”

“Because she came to me and told me God wanted me to bear his child. The king of Israel.”

Enid sighed and hung her head, every single word was true. She cursed her gift silently.

“You don’t believe me?”

“No, I know you’re telling the truth, that’s the problem. I was happy believing the Hebrew god and angels were bullshit. Why he pulled me into this…”

“What do you mean? I thought my mother sent you.”

“Yes, not because…not because she chose to, she had a vision. She was told that the first daughter of God’s eye and the avatar of Life, beside the shadow of death would protect you and your baby. Your mother, she hates us for what we are. But your life meant more to her then her hatred of vampires. I am not sure I could be as strong.”

“You don’t like my mother?”

“I don’t know her. I do know she is good-hearted and kind. But she has no forgiveness for the turning of your sister.”

“Miranda.”

Enid nodded.

“That’s why I have been forbidden to speaking to her.”

Enid nodded. She was starting to get nervous now. The sun would crest the horizon soon.

“Well, if you worship that Hebrew God, better ask him for a miracle because we’re in trouble otherwise.”

Mary started to whisper under breath. Enid wasn’t sure if the prayer did it or they would have run into anyway, but there was a rocky cave as they descended the next hill. It was just big enough for the horse to get in. Enid helped Mary down and led the pair into the cave.

“I’ll be right back. We’ll need feed for the horse. There is water, I’ll make sure its safe but I’m pretty sure it will be based on smell.”

Enid flickered out of existence and by the time she was done there were a couple of days of food arrayed for the horse and the bed roll had been laid out for Mary. Enid could feel the sun pulling on her.

“I will fall asleep and will be as if dead soon. Eat, rest.”

The world went black for her shortly afterwards.

*****

December 24th, 1 BCE, after sunset, Road to Bethlehem.

Enid was leading the horse along the road to Bethlehem. Several groups of Roman soldiers had passed the pair. Beyond polite greetings the pair were left alone. Enid wore the armor of a Roman noble and a purple cloak. Generally, it meant she was ignored by the typical Roman soldier at worst, and at best they groveled for favor. The odd one would try to disprove her status but would be soundly defeated by her skills in battle.

“Joseph and I were harassed at every turn by the soldiers, yet you travel unmolested.”

“I wear the armor of our house and legion. The Black Legion. Sextus maintains a mortal legion to keep up appearances and defend our holdings. It means what I do is none of their business.”

“Do you serve in the army?”

Enid laughed.

“No, no vampires allowed. But he allows us to wear it so we can conduct our business unmolested.”

They travelled in silence for another couple of kilometers when Mary winced in pain. Enid smelled the air. She could smell the scent of the fluid dripping from Mary’s womb.

“How long have you been feeling the pain?”

“Since shortly before you woke up.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t know…and then…I didn’t want him born on the road, he is to be a king Aunt Enid.”

“If I don’t get you somewhere safe, he won’t be born at all. Do your best not to push, I know it is asking a lot, but I need things…to keep you and the baby safe. It is too cold here. We need warmth.”

Mary held her side and nodded a few tears dripped down her cheeks.

“I’m scared.”

“Shh, don’t be scared. I promised you I would keep you safe.”

Enid looked the horse.

“She needs you now. Be smooth, be smooth.”

The horse kept its gait as steady as it could Enid began to hurry. Her vampiric legs were far more then mortal they covered the terrain of the road swiftly. Mary clutched the pommel of the saddle. Her knuckles were white. Her eyes clenched. The trio reached the gates of Bethlehem. A contingent of Roman Soldier’s barred their way their leader stepped out.

“City is full. Move along.”

Enid narrowed her eyes as she stepped into the torchlight.

“I am Enid Aurelius, General of the Black Legion and you dare block my way? This is my niece and she is about give birth let me through or I will cut you all down and the babe’s head will not be the only bloody thing this night.”

Mary cried out again. Enid saw someone forcing his way to the front. He had the young soldier she had spared with him. The man who was dragging him was a general by his regalia and armor.

“Is she the one?”

“Yes sir.”

“You killed several of my men. You will answer for that.”

“Your men attacked a member of my house, and were trying to rape her, should I have ignored their crimes? If this lot is their equal, you’ll need more men. I fear what the consequences will be for you when Sextus Aurelius finds out about this.”

To the general’s credit he barely let out the gagging sound when he found out what had happened.

“Now let us through before I add to the body count.”

The general found his voice finally.

“There are no rooms, the city is full, the census taker and his cohort have taken all of the space.”

“That building there, the bright star is shining over it. There, we will find space. The gods have deemed it so.”

Many of the soldiers looked behind them the general motioned one of the soldiers to check.

“We need little, just someplace warm.”

Mary cried out again. Enid patted her leg gently.

“Its okay, soon it will be over and he will be in your arms.”

The solider came rushing back he was out of breath.

“They innkeep said the stable has space.”

Enid spoke quickly.

“There are animals? It is warm?”

The soldier nodded.

“That is good enough.”

The general waved for the men to part and allow Enid and Mary through. Enid looked back to the general.

“Her husband Joseph and my sister Mariana Aurelius will be here soon. Please guide them to us. There may be…others. The gods told me this child would be a king of kings one day. They may have told others. Let none of Herod’s men through. They seek to harm her, and as a Roman Citizen she is above him.”

The general nodded. His annoyance at the mention of Herod made his feelings on the old man clear. Enid rushed the horse and Mary to the stables as quickly as she dared. The general and a few men had followed them. Enid scooped Mary up in her arms to the surprise of every man there. She easily carried her into the stable. She leaned her against a pole and pulled fresh straw from a bale and tossed into one of the open pens. There were all manner of animal in here, horses, sheep, a cow. She would have preferred clean linen and no animals but she would make due. She rushed outside and pulled a blanket from the horses saddlebag and threw it on the hay. She pulled her priceless purple cloak off her shoulders and hung it on a saddle blanket post and then helped Mary to the bed she’d crafted. She glanced back at the gawking men.

“Turn away please. From what I understand no man wants to witness this least the lose their taste for women.”

They turned away all blushing a deep crimson. Enid pushed Mary’s dress up.

“I’m know how hard this is Mary. I have been here. I do not see the head yet. He’s not coming down. Just breathe in and out, just like that.”

Enid took her niece’s hand.

“I know it hurts. I know you think you cannot possible survive this but every human alive came into the world this way, that means their mothers survived it. I survived it, twice, your Aunt Mariana, she survived it three times, and both of us are much smaller than you. It is going to feel like your body is tearing itself apart, and there is nothing I can do for the pain until my horse gets here. I need to get this damn armor off.”

Enid shifted to leave Mary’s side, but the girl had her hand gripped so tightly she would hurt Mary if she used her full strength to get free.

“Mary you will be okay. I need to get this armor off to help you get the baby out.”

Mary had tears on her cheeks and she refused to release her grip. Enid heard footsteps and looked back at the Roman Soldiers who stood a stoic guard for the women. It was the young soldier she had spared. They were holding him back the General who was one of her guards spoke firmly.

“I think you’ve done enough damage lad.”

“I just want to help her. Like the messenger of the gods spoke of.”

Enid looked down at Mary who was looking at the soldier. Not with fear, but with compassion. Enid shook her head. Plutonia had passed on more then her hair.

“I need help, let him through. He can earn his redemption by witnessing that which turns men to men for comfort in dark times.”

The general laughed and shoved the teenager through.

“Better you then me lad.”

The young soldier approached cautiously. He went pale when he saw the pain creasing Mary’s face and the tears. He averted her eyes from Mary’s exposed genitals. Enid looked at him.

“Well, boy, take her other hand. Or start taking my armor off of me, your choice.”

Atticus took Mary’s other hand and looked to Mary’s face. Mary relaxed her grip on Enid’s hand and Enid used the moment to escape. She stood up. Atticus looked between Enid and Mary.

“I wasn’t with them…I didn’t want too. I tried to stop them.”

Enid sensed the truth and felt a ping of remorse seeing the dark blue-black bruise on the teenager’s neck.

“You are who you are with. Remember that Boy.”

Enid turned and walked out of the barn she was rather embarrassed but it would be quicker with help.

“Could one of you please assist me in removing my armor, it is meant for battle, not bringing new life into the world.”

The general stepped forward and started to assist her. Enid sensed him pause as finished lifting the armor over her head. Under the armor she was earing a low cut top. Her the network of scars would be visible to him in the torch light. She turned and took the chest piece from him. When she lifted her arms she exposed more scars, one of them the nearly fatal wound from her biological father’s knife. He spoke quietly, a new respect in his eyes as he looked over this scarred young woman.

“You are a woman of war, what do you know of birthing baby’s?”

“I have given birth to two and been with my sister as she delivered three. I pray to the God’s that is enough.”

“Enid Aurelius, let no man say you lack courage and fortitude.”

“Any man who would try would find the business end of my blade. Thank you for you help general, I should return before she breaks his sword hand.”

He chuckled and took up his place guarding the stable with his two men.

“We will keep you and your charge safe general Aurelius. I wish the girl a swift delivery. May he be the sword of the gods.”

Enid suspected he would be the end of the Gods based on all the interference the Hebrew God was throwing into this. Enid rushed to Mary and kneeled between her legs. She started to feel the swollen abdomen gently trying to find the arms and legs. She found an elbow. She thought she might feel a heel near the top. Her mother had always said find out which direction the baby as up, or down and if the head was close to the opening or not.

“Okay. I have good news. The baby is facing up, and his head is near your opening. I don’t feel the cord anywhere, so…that might not be great, but it doesn’t mean anything. I can hear two heartbeats. So that’s also good. His sounds good…as far as I know. Baby is facing the wrong way but his head is in the right direction. He’ll turn.”

Mary looked at Enid who smiled to her niece.

“Your body knows exactly what to do, you just have to listen to it. The faster the contractions come the faster you need to respond. For now, just practice the timing of the push, learn the cadence your body is following. You want a harmony, not a din and clash of confusion. Don’t push yet. You need to conserve your strength for the real battle ahead. You aren’t ready yet.”

“It hurts so much Aunt Enid.”

“I know child, I know.”

Atticus looked at Enid. His eyes tracing her scars in the light of the lanterns. Enid was doing her best to ignore him and focus on the signs of readiness on Mary. Enid looked at Mary and then down to her filthy hands. She had no wish to check the dilation manually with her hands like this. Enid checked her abdomen the baby was now on his side. Enid felt a contraction ripple through Mary’s body. The poor girl screamed this time. Enid heard a commotion at the entrance at the entrance of the barn. Maria’s head popped through slowly followed by a Hebrew man. Enid closed her eyes and whispered thanks to the Gods. Mariana had a bundle of cloth under her arm. She offered it to Enid. Mariana had dried blood on her armor, face and in her thick black hair.

“Looks like you had…an interesting time.”

“You look like you crawled through the mud. Go get cleaned up I’ll watch her while you do.”

“You’re not taking over?”

Mariana shook her head. Enid rolled her eyes and walked out and pulled a bowl from Lavender’s saddle bags and filled it with water. She took a pouch of herbs from the bundle a dumped it in the water. She washed her hands in and left it there. She held her hands out and walked back to the barn the general watched the ritual with a risen eyebrow. Enid rushed to Mary. Mariana stood up and started pulling off her armor. Atticus had let Joseph take his spot and rush to help Mariana.

“Mariana, the pain herbs. I left the bowl.”

“Already on my way.”

Mary was looking up at Joseph. She knew that look well, it was the one she got when she was looking at Lucius. She smiled.

“I’m going to check and see if you’re ready.”

Enid checked and felt the head trying to breach through Mary’s cervix.

“Okay He’s facing the right way. He’s ready to come out and you’re ready. Once you drink the tea Mariana’s making you can start pushing.”

Mary looked at Enid.

“What is the tea for?”

Enid smiled at her.

“The pain, trust me you want it.”

Mariana’s hands were clean of blood as she took up position on the other side of Mary and helped her drink the cup of tea. Mary sputtered and coughed after she chugged it.

“That tastes like chicken shit smells!”

Enid laughed.

“Okay fifteen minutes and you’ll be ready to push.”

Enid looked behind her.

“Atticus, there is clean cloth in my saddle bag. Wash your hands in the bowl outside and bring me the cloth please. Be thorough.”

Mariana watched the teenager leave.

“Who is the kid?”

“One of their attackers.”

Mariana looked at Enid like she was insane.

“It is a very long story that I don’t even understand myself. But she wanted him here.”

“She’s more forgiving than we are.”

“She is her mother’s daughter.”

Atticus returned and was trying to offer the bundle of cloth to Enid who shook her head.

“Now hold it, don’t let it touch anything and don’t touch anything with your hands but it. Do you understand?”

He nodded. Enid looked at her quarter hour of glass it was empty.

“Its time. Next contraction, I need you to push Mary. Its going to hurt like a pain you’ve never imagined but you need to push. Once we start you cannot stop the baby will get stuck.”

“Mariana put your hand on her and tell her when to push I’m ready to catch the baby.”

They waited and they didn’t wait long. Mariana spoke.

“Push now Mary, push now.”

Mary screamed and Enid saw the baby’s head pop out further.

“A few more good ones hon. You got this.”

Mary screamed again and with a final push the baby slipped into Enid’s waiting hands. She held him face down.

“Atticus quickly the cloth, put it under the baby and hold him for me.”

Enid started to pat the boy’s back gently. And swept some mucus out of his mouth. He started cough then let out a loud cry. The soldiers glanced back and the general gave a small cheer.

“It’s a boy.”

Enid cut the umbilical cord and tied it off. She used the cloth Atticus had provided to clean the baby off. She looked around and all she could found worthy of a baby blanket was her warm soft purple cloak. She treasured it, because purple dye was very expensive, the cloak had cost as much as her estate, but the boy would need its warmth. She pulled it down and bundled the child in it.

“Wear it well King of Kings.”

Enid poked his nose. The boy’s brown eyes met her. They were knowing old kind eyes. She quirked an eyebrow.

Enid offered him to Mary who held him to herself. Mariana put her arm around Enid’s shoulder as the pair looked down at the new family.

“I’m proud of you sis. But you still owe 50 gold coins.”

“Bitch.”