The Birth of an Heir, or Two

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The sun rose on March twenty-seventh, a bright early spring day. Blue sky without a cloud in sight arched over trees not yet in bloom and grass just getting its bright new green for the year. Aegraine woke that day, breathing easier than in recent weeks, as her time drew near. Today she did not even need assistance to stand and dress for the day.

His day was like any other… early to bed, to lay beside the love of his life, a hand caressing the bare belly, filled with child. A night filled with sleep, and an early morn, rising before the sun broke the horizon… then riding off to the Capital. Turas Lan blossomed under King Adam’s reign, and peace had come to the Gaelic Nations. For a warrior, Dmitrii had been graced by the wish he always dreamed of… peace in the country, a loving wife in his life… The only thing he lacked was an heir…one to call his own… to pass all he owned to upon his death. Even after four years of trying to have a child… and nine months of pregnancy, it seemed surreal for an heir to be born. To him… male or female… his and Aegraine’s offspring would be their future…

"I have such energy, Marie! Today I will finish the embroidery and perhaps walk all the way down the hall before the hour is up." The engineer had limited expectations for her formerly full work day, of late. After the Winter Court, dancing and feasting, it was an exhausted Ae who returned to Lake Manor. These days, watching for Dmitrii to return from his work in town was the highlight of the day. This day, he had already departed to his work there, in order to be back for dinner.

"Energy?" Dora Lynch looked up from the floor where she scrubbed and nodded, her cap like bright yellow sunflower sprouting from the wooden planks. "Will not be long now, if you got pep. Hens get their nests aready the day them chicks hatch. Seen it many time." She stood and took up her scrub pail and headed to the room door. "Done that meself once." She was headed to tell cook to bring Ae one of the tiny six daily meals that the unborn allowed her to consume.

"Last night I thought I was larger than this, Marie." Ae smoothed her gown and today she seemed to have her waistline back. "This is normal?" She looked to the Midwife who had returned with them to Skye, after the time at court.

"Aye, will be a few days; no more." Maude spoke but at the same moment was signing to Marie to get ready now, for what she meant was any time in a few days, or sooner.

Dmitrii had been training young squires in the art of weaponry. Many were mesmerized by his agility with twin blades, but not all seemed to have the ability to handle such… And with a smile, he would recommend that they remained with one sword, and learn it well… Of course, others would be better as water-bearers, but their fathers’ were usually of nobility and preferred their sons be knights… of which the stubborn Kievan Rus would recommend the lads find other employment in the army…

At every opportunity, he would check with the Captain to see if a messenger arrived… and by now, everyone in the castle knew Lady Aegraine was ready to pop… and still they teased Dmitrii about the baby being scared to enter his world. Some even joked about how big the Lady was and how it must be something to do with Rus bloodlines. Dmi would take it all in stride… Still he waited for the time he would ride hard home to be with his belaboring wife.

Mid-morning, Aegraine was happily at the windowseat, clipping the last threads of an elaborate embroidered picture of Lake Manor, the lake sparkling with bits of silver thread highlights. It was a surprise gift for her husband. She began to speak to those ladies gathered in her quarters, in a slow, calm tone told them, "I suppose I will choose to use the birthing stool that Dora brought as...I think it is time." Ae dropped the threads and the clipper skidded across the floor while she grasped the window seat edge and looked up with surprise. "Maude! Come here. I need you."

Aegraine’s duties as Chief Engineer had been put on hold these past wintered months… the ride to the Capital too risky for her… The men continued on the wall repairs and modifications as she had ordered, the modifications to the King’s Castle, and to the Guilds’ buildings. Peacetime and prosperity brought about new construction, and even as big as she was, Aegraine dealt out orders to her crews, even as far away as Lake Manor. The youngest of the journeymen had the daily task of reporting to the Chief Engineer in person as to the status of each project.

But this day, Dmitrii acted as he had for the past 30… eager to ride home early… and just happenstance, he and the messenger rode to Lake Manor together… No hurry… no rush… just chatting about his studies under the Lady Aegraine, the King’s Chief Engineer. The lad was very open to the man, and Dmitrii learned truly what her men thought about her.

This was a new stage of life for the engineer, a new career sprouting from the main business of her life. From their lives. Over four years, Dmitrii and his wife waited for this child and today was the day. In the commotion that followed, it is no surprise that no word was sent to Dmitrii that his heir was on the way. At any way, he was expected back at evening time, the ride to the Turas Lan was only an hour. Faster at a gallop.

The usual hour long ride took longer this day… and Dmitrii held his head high knowing his wife was well-respected… a hard taskmaster, but fair… eager to see a project completed, over-zealous at times in its construction… but always considered the men’s families as well as the men receiving fair wages for fair work.

Unbeknownst to him, his wife was giving birth… as he and the journeyman unsaddled their own horses… they saw a crowd gathered by the entrance to the Manor… Every employee of the Zurbans were anxiously waiting the news. Then it hit him like a ton of brick… His wife was in labor…

Dropping the saddle, he spoke no departure words, just hurried to the door, pushing aside people who had not even noticed their Master behind them. “Make way!!!” he spoke loudly… and the crowd parted, like Moses parting the Red Sea.

His journey to his wife’s side was halted by some of her handmaids… “Yae cannae enter MiLord… the Lady is in birthin’…” Dmitrii just growled and strolled into the next room, where a manservant had pour a drink… “Yaer drink milord…” The man smiled as Dmi took it and downed it totally… Then he began to pace as the screams began to reverberate from their room.

Back and forth… hither and yon… Dmi paced… and his chest seized with each bout of screams… He even made statements, off-the-cuff regarding the midwife killing her… only to be calmed by his servant. But this was the one subject that Dmitrii was inexperienced with. “Damn, what takes so long…??”

At the start, Dora Lynch came to Aegraine with a cup of liquid, which she shielded from the midwife and the maid, careful that no one heard. "Here, drink this. It be henbane; make the labor pains easier. Still pains, but smaller and make the work easier." The servant looked over her shoulder, for the midwife being churched, would surely take the cup away and chuck Dorie out the room. "It will not harm the little one."

"The taste is so nasty!" Ae drank, for she had confidence in the Lynch woman's knowledge of herb medicines. She knew well what work was ahead for her and like getting ready for a battle, it did occur to the engineer to use whatever makes the task easier.

Oh yes, the woman was always the ones to endure the pain of childbirth… but unlike men of his day, Dmitrii, though steeled in battle, seemed a bit flustered in the fact he heard his wife scream in pain… and this was harder to endure than any cut or wound of battle, no matter how severe… And… and not knowing was ever so hard, as each time he attempted to enter, thinking he could soothe her pain, he was shooshed back out… How dare those women keep him from his beloved Aegraine??!!

If this was easier, Dmitrii's wife did not want to know what difficult was. Ae did her best, fit and strong, through the hours that it took. It was like the training she had been given from the mad Incanto, back as a young girl. One exercise was to climb up out of a muddy trench only to have the Incanto push his students back down, over and over until they either gave up or collapsed. Each round of contractions was another struggle to the goal and Ae was no slacker. She persevered until the midwife announced to those in the room, "It's a boy!" Dmitrii had his son and heir. Ae was not really ready for the next announcement. "And there is another."

Outside in the hall, there was the slight sound of a newborn cry, then in a few minutes it became a duet. Now, one of the farm wives had a three day old son, Mary, a successful mother of four others and she was due to be on the scene to help Ae with the new one, guiding her in his feeding and care, so the sound of a second cry was not that usual. Except, that Mary and her new son, were sitting on a bench in this very hall, outside the birth room.

Screams died out, for only a moment, for once more she took to screaming… and this confused him. He had witnessed men brought to their knees by the death of their newborn babe… and even their wives shortly after childbirth… but why did she pause? Her resumed screaming meant she was alive and he knelt to his knees and, with the sign of the cross, began to pray for his beloved Ae.

Women, in… women out… some carrying bloody cloth, returning with new ones… When he finally sat down, after Aegraine ceased screaming, he anticipated the worst, but prayed stoically for the best.

"Come; meet your children, Sir." Maude opened the door and motioned for Dmitrii to join the gathering. There were Dora and Marie clearing the room and getting candles to light the place bright enough for him to see the little wrapped bundles a smiling, exhausted Ae held, one in each arm, propped up on pillows, ready for a well-earned rest.

Maude had opened the door and motioned to him. Rising slowly, he inched his way to the door, first peaking in… seeing Aegraine sitting up in the bed, her face showing signs of exhaustion… but alive… and that familiar smile… the beard quirking in its standard form… But alas??!! What was this? She held two bundles… twins did not sink in when Maude said “children”… and so he approached closer still. “A lad? Or a Lass?” he inquired… and the women started giggling, covering their mouths and exiting quickly… and he looked to them at if they were insane… then he looked back to Ae who had this aura around her… with a smile bright as the sun…

Leaning over the bed, Dmi’ hand extended to the bundles… one in each of her arms… then the woman’s word and Aegraine’s smile finally registered… “Two babes?” and Dmitrii, the enduring warrior sunk to the bed, sitting gently next to his wife and children… his fingers pushing back the material to see his son… and his daughter… “After all this time… after all we have tried… we are blessed with two at once…” His steel-grey eyes softened as he looked at his children…

He looked to the first born as Ae held him forward a bit… “Pyotr… You shall be named Pyotr…” then he looked to the lass… It seemed she had a smile upon her face and that made Dmi smile. His course finger stroll across her soft face… “and you shall be named Rosetta…” then he ,looked to his beloved Aegraine… “And you M’Lady… I bow to thee… you have done magnificently” and he leaned to kiss her tender lips… “I love thee with all my heart… thank you…”

"Hold them, Dmi. The people are outside waiting to see." Ae gave him a tired but glorious happy smile and relaxed her arm to allow him to take the boy to hold. Dora shifted the little girl to his other arm. The headache she had been annoyed by all yesterday and tonight it was still there and worse than ever. She had some difficulty focusing on her husband while transferring their seven pound boy to his arm. A little face snuggled in white with dark hair sticking out in all directions was all she had seen of her son; the five pound girl had dark hair too, but it was still too early to tell if her eyes were as dark as her brother's. She did not want to open them. Lights danced along the upper fringe of Ae's field of vision and the intense glow made her head fell as if hot knives stuck her like a crown of thorns, only lower across the bridge of her nose. Aegraine attempted to watch Dmitrii walk to the room's door but she could not.

Dmitrii was too wrapped up in his newborns to have noticed the pained face of his beloved wife. Hesitant? Ah yes, but proudly he cradled the twins… and turned to the balcony, to the awaiting crowd below… Standing at the rail, he raised his arms slightly so all could see, only the roar of cheers from the servants of Lake Manor, drowned out his words. Handing the daughter to the maid, his chancellor quieted the crowd, Dmi held his son aloft… “People of Lake Manor, I give you Pyotr Zurban… Our son…” once again the crowd of a hundred or so responded… Taking his daughter and raised her up… “And… our daughter, Rosetta Zurban…” and the crowd responded with hazzuhs and cheers of well-being. Dmi then took his children in his arms once again and bowed his head slightly… “Today, is a day of celebration… let there be no work, but preparation for this evenings feast…”

Aegraine tried to speak and tell her husband how happy she was at this moment, but when she opened her mouth to speak, the words did not come out. She fished among her thoughts, through numbers and building specs and they were all present, but not words. She closed her eyes and tried to rest, but the pain in her skull was as if it were splitting. Dmitrii had gone to show the children to the folks of the estate. Yes, that was it. She had almost forgotten where he had gone.

"How you feelin, Lady?" Maude inquired but the only reply from Ae was, "Veldisstrii beleee..ah,.." She stammered in gibberish and her words were gone, quite as blank to expression as the newborns were. Inside her head, it was blank. There was pain, but the busy thought pattern of the engineer was now nothing but numbers and black. Aegraine closed her eyes and sank her head into the pillow, her mouth went slack, and she knew nothing more.

Asleep? Perhaps.

The proud father returned to waiting maids who would take the children and prepare them for the day… Below, the crowd quickly dispersed to ready the feast… Dmi returned to Aegraine’s side, and sat upon the large bed. His hand automatically reaching for, and caressing her pale face. Canting his head at her, he looked back to Maude.

She did not wake when Dmitrii returned with the children. She had not moved from the slump into the pillow that she had taken before. "Sir? I need to speak with you, in the hall." A very concerned Maude wrung her hands.

Dmitrii rose from the bed, grave concern strickened his face. “What is it M’Lady? Is my wife alright?”

"Something is wrong, milord… I have seen this but twice. I will need to send to the Healer's Hall for help."

“Then do so… wait not for my approval…” he paused, his hand upon the woman’s arm. “Aegraine is strong… I know she will be alright…” more to reassure himself… “What concerns you M’Lady?” [/color][/font]

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The Medicine Woman

There was great to-do as they waited for the Healer from Turas Lan. Maude knew that at rare times, a new Mother lost her speech and at times the movement of one side or the other of her body right after childbirth. There was an herbal remedy for this and time to recover the lost functions, all this the midwife told Dmitrii, careful not to mention that it might not work. In that case, the result was death. And none knew why.

A cleaning maid came upon a cup near Aegraine's bedside table and sniffed the contents, hoping for a sip of leftover wine, if truth be told. It might have been just water, so she tasted one finger dipped into the tiny slide of liquid left over and found it bitter, foul and had the taste of… "Poison! Lookit this Maude! I swear I think the Mistress has been poisoned!" She handed the cup to Maude who also gave it a tiny taste and made a tight lipped cross face at the cup. "It be no remedy or wine that I know!" Being of Church training, this midwife did not know the taste of Henbane, an ancient formerly well respected easier of labor pains. "Who brought this cup into the room!" she demanded and with her authoritative tone. All stopped and listened.

"I see that one give the Lady a drink, right before going to the birthing chair. It were her!" old Cathy pointed to Dora Lynch, who was near the hearth, tending to the fire.

"Who, Me?" Dorie looked up from the work and dropped the armful of firewood onto the bricks with a thud that startled the babies. She began to stand, one hand on the floor, in the position of a track runner ready to shoot off at the sound of the gun. Fight or flight reaction and the indecision between the two kept Lynch poised on the hearth. "Yes, I give her a drink; she asked me for something to drink. Be there any wrong in that?" Henbane was no secret for the farm folk, among whom the Medicine Woman was an honored person. There was henbane and more in Dora's secret garden deep in the forest, but she was not about to admit to anything like that. It be akin to magic and witchery; a death penalty offense in most civilized locations.

To all this, Dmitrii's wife was oblivious, just resting eyes closed as if in a deep sleep. A Healer was on the way. Right now, Dora Lynch was the one in danger.

Dmitrii had been in the weapon’s room, not far from the others when he heard the women yelling at one another; and that drew his attention. With the usual stride, he made his way to the room where the women were. “What is going on here? Quiet now, or you shall awaken Lady Aegraine…”

When Maude explained old Cathy’s accusation, he looked at Dora… and laughed. He knew Dora loved Aegraine almost like a daughter… and Dmi had allowed the woman to remain with them whenever she desired, as long as she pulled her own weights. With a quirk of his beard, Dmi’s accented whisper explained what he knew, and his knowing did not bend his own religious ways, and he thought that Dora’s ventures would not sway religious people from their habits. “Dora is a conjurer of herbs… from the old way… The King does not outlaw this… and neither do I. Some say th’t the ways of old are heretic… I say nay…” When Maude spoke of henbane, Dmi canted his head and looked at Dora, then back to Maude… “Then henbane is what Dora felt was necessary, just as you are no healer, but simply a midwife… do I begrudgeon you that liberty to judge what is good at the time in the absence of a healer?” and he just shook his head. “We shall wait for the royal physician’s and see what they say…” and he looked at each one separately. “Aye?”

"Thank you Sir Dmitrii!" Dora bowed down to the ground her hands covering her fact to hide the tears of relief, for she had been in fear for her life only moments ago, from threats muttered to her by Old Cathy. "I give her the henbane to ease the pains; it do not take them away but make them milder. There be better for pain, but this remedy, it don't harm the baby. That is the main reason I done that and without your permission. To get the babies into the world safe and healthy." She knew it was dangerous, but that danger was to the one who brewed up plant cures, not the new mother or her baby.

Dmitrii was surprised when the older woman dropped to the floor in a deep supplicated bow… “Rise woman… your reason were wise, that I know. Aegraine trusts you, and I have no reason not to… you, in fact, were never in any danger…” he took her by the arms and helped her to her feet. Dora kept a place in his heart… and it would take much for her to be ripped from that haven. His steel eyes, glaring at old Cathy, were enough to admonish the woman for her accusations based solely upon religious errors.

The hours wore on and finally a healer came from the castle, bearing a drink that was to stop Aegraine's blinding headaches and prevent further damage. The stroke, for that what was had happened to Ae did no more harm than to make speech difficult for the woman.

A few hours later, Aegraine awoke and looked about the darkened, quiet room, for the infants slept and uttered her first word since before. "Dmi?" she looked about for him in the shadows thrown by a low hearthfire. It did not sound like Dmitrii's wife’s voice, but some other kind of accent to it. As if she had been born and lived in Eastern Europe all her days.

Dmitrii had abandoned everything to be near his beloved Aegraine and the babies. People of the manor continued their tasks, ensuring the work of the Manor sustained. But it was Dmi, who sat in the shadows waiting for his wife to regain consciousness. In the meanwhile, the twins would be fed by a nursemother until Aegraine was capable once again. When she awoke and called his name… it sounded odd… Approaching her, he bent over and lit a candle… “Yes my dear… I am here.” His hand took hers.

In the kitchen, Old Cathy began to talk among the servants and you would think it was her idea to give Ae something to help with her labor. "Such good omen, twins. The estate will prosper even more than before." Others whispered between themselves. "Two! Like those twin swords!" "Himself does everything double."[/i] [/color]That last had the old ladies giggling as if they were young again. That and the strong drink they all had to toast the new children; Pytor and Rosetta.

"Dmi? What do you think if we give Rosetta a second name? I would like to add 'Kae', in honor of your sister; I have liked her ever since I saw her rescue that child, back when the gates of Turas Lan were besieged."

Dmi sat upon the bed next to her, her hand still in his… “My love, the child shall bear whatever name you decide…” he smiled, and spoke in a low, soft voice… “Rosetta Kae Zurban… It has a fine ring to it… And I believe Kaelyn would be proud…” he smiled again. “Rosetta Kae, it is then…” He stood slowly as not to rack her bed as he rose. “I shall summon Kaelyn, she is upstairs in her room. She is suppose to be sleeping… but I doubt tis true.” He chuckled.

Dmitrii had found Kaelyn in the tavern not far from Turas Lan. And brought her back to Lake Manor… albeit no more than 2 days before the children was born. Some rumored the children would welcome their aunt with cries of joy… to Dmitrii, he was happy to have his family back together.

The medicine Aegraine had to have meant that her recovery from childbirth was slowed and a nursemother was a necessity. If the slow dragging along steps she was soon able to get about the room were difficult for her so much more was her thought process. "Where are the six or seven threads of ideas I had before? I can scarcely grasp words to speak them, let alone think creatively?" she asked this of herself in silence in case someone might think her gone mad. "I keep working at moving and it gets easier so perhaps thinking will rebound. I am asked a question and it takes me several minutes to line up the words." She was all too aware of her weird accent, but spoke anyway, with effort.

At least she could hold the twins and change them, make comforting hums to them, for there was no song in her now. "Tis black empty space and I cannot recall what some items are called." She kept working; beginning each attempt at recalling with the one word she had strong and clear from the first, "Dmitrii."

Recovery had not been easy… but even the dedicated warrior took leave from his King’s side to tend to his wife; for the King, being the warrior’s best friend and confidant, allowed the man some reign ion his own home. Time and time again, he watched his beloved wife, and mother of his beautiful babies, fight her way back to good health.

Meanwhile, his sister, who now resided with him, had her own rooms to recluse to. His time divided between the two… though Kaelyn was in better shape than Aegraine. As he stood in the doorway, he saw his beloved wife and listened to her words, even ignoring the oft misspoken accent. Odd but prevalent. “Yes my dearest Aegraine… I am here…” as he entered the room fully, making himself aware.

Months would pass before Ae was her old self, back to her very English accent but she did not stop trying to regain her old abilities and that effort was rewarded with success. Today, however, she let Dora brush and braid her hair; Marie selected a gown and did up the lace on sleeves and fastened it for her. She was anxious to see Kae once more, not caring that she, Aegraine was not quite her old self. She had one track of thought and that was to see her sister-in-law, after all this time. Such strength of body and spirit Kae had; this inspiration Ae wanted for her little girl; to become the type of woman who would risk all to rescue a child in wartime. That made Dmitrii's wife smile.

"Kae? Ask her to come in. I want the babies to meet their Aunt Kae."

Dmitrii smiled and nodded. “I shall go see if she is at the Manor…” then as he started to exit the room, he turned. “Are you sure yu are up to it???” [/font][/color]

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Kae had been riding back to Dmi's home when one of his guards met up with her to let her know of the births and also telling her Dmi was looking for her.

"They have two children?" she asked with a big crooked smile thanks to the scar on her face. The guard smiled back and nodded. Side by side they rode through the gates.

Kae dismounted and handed her reins to a stable lad and slowly made her way up the stairs into the house and up to her room to clean up and change. Seeing a young girl " Please let Lord Dmitrii know I am back and will be in my room." the girl gave her a quick nod and went off to find the brother of the Elite Ranger who has come home.

In her room she washed her face in a basin and chnged... when Dmi built this house he had given her this room in a private wing... she had stayed here a few times so she had clothing and stuff should she need them.

In a fresh tunic and leather pants she stood by the window looking out at a small garden and a feeling of peace washed over.. it was indeed good to be home!

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

I echo those sentiments. Happy Father's Day to those here!!

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Kae had not waited long in her rooms before a young servant girl came to get her and bring her to where Dmi and Ae were with their newly born twins. She had spent some time with them holding them and laughing with the proud parents. moments like these reminded her of her own twins now long gone from this world but loved deeply no matter.

Having spent the better part of the day with her brother and his wife she took her leave for the gardens seeking peace and tranquility for a bit. Garbed in her typical attire of the Elite Ranger, though fairly warm she was cloaked from head to toe, hood up concealing her face. She sat on a small patch of shaded ground beneath a large tree , leaned her head back and let her mind drift to happier times in her life. She had done this often over the past few years while held a prisoner.

She recalled the sound of her now dead husband Darius's deep voice calling to her or softly singing to her twins Garet and Jelani. Of Lee and his gentle instruction during the time she had no sight.... Ah Lee how her heart ached not knowing what had become of him during her absence. Had he left Turas Lan? Had he found another to love? Her heart was still his.... for she loved him deeply!

Slowly she let her eyes close as she leaned against that old oak, yet ever the warrior her hand rested on her dagger though it was not needed not here in Dmi's home where she was safe... but it helped her to feel safer and not so vulnerable. If any looked upon her they would think her asleep... though that was not something she did much of anymore.

Tomorrow she would ride to the city and seek out King Adam and Queen Bess to speak with them about returning to her duties... she needed to feel useful once more.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Days turned to weeks upon weeks since she had returned to Skye. Kae had yet to venture to far... either here at her brother's manor or a ride to check on RavensCrest and nothing more. Her strength having returned she ached to use her skills again, and no other place offered her such other than the training lists for the guards in Turas Lan.

Night had fully fallen and all in the Manor was sleeping... a sense of peace enveloped this place especially after the children were born, but for her peace was a distant memory. The nights held unspeakable tales of her time in that horrible place so instead of sleeping she roamed the halls and land .

However this night she would mount a horse from the stables and ride into the city... to a place she felt part of... the rangers training area. At night no one would be about she'd be alone and as relaxed as she could be all things considering.


(THE REST TO TAKE PLACE IN THE TRAINING ARENA/ BARRACKS IN TURAS LAN)