Kurtz, Katherine - Deryni Chronology 07 - In the King's Service by Kurtz Katherine

Author:Kurtz, Katherine [Kurtz, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sf_fantasy
ISBN: 0-441-01209-4
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

They left the following day, riding fast along the road that skirted the River Molling, as it lazed its way westward across the great Gwynedd Plain. They arrived in Rhemuth mid-February, only days before the queen was brought to bed of another Haldane prince. Eased by the ministrations of Jessamy and Alyce, the latter grown considerably more knowledgeable from her studies at Arc-en-Ciel, the queen's labor was hard but short, at least some of her pains blunted by Deryni magic — much to the annoyance of a new royal midwife, who firmly believed that the travails of birth were a woman's just recompense for the sins of Eve.

«You have another son, Sire», Alyce said, emerging from the birthing chamber while Jessamy and Marie cleaned up mother and child. «He is perfect in every way, and his mother is well».

Bursting into a wide grin, Donal gave a relieved sigh.

«Thanks be to God!»

Later that evening, when the mother had rested and the babe was rousing from sleep, the girls brought the rest of the royal children to see the new arrival.

«Come and greet your new brother», Alyce said to Princes Brion and Blaine as she shepherded them into their mother's bedchamber.

Zoë was carrying their sister, the Princess Xenia, who squirmed to get down as Jessamy helped the queen to sit more upright and the midwife lifted the child from his cradle to lay him in his mother's arms. The king had already visited the pair, and now was gone to inform his council of the safe delivery of the new prince.

«Isn't he beautiful?» Alyce whispered, as young Brion stood on his tiptoes for a closer look.

«He's just a baby», piped Blaine, sounding a little disappointed.

«Well, he was just born», Brion replied, quite reasonably. «Mama, can I hold him?»

Richeldis laughed gently as the babe nuzzled closer to her breast. «Maybe tomorrow, darling. Right now, he's very hungry, and Mama is very tired».

«But, you been in bed all day, Mama», Blaine pointed out.

«Yes, but your mama has been working very hard», Jessamy explained, smoothing the younger boy's jet-black hair. «Shall I lift you up so you can see him better?»

Nodding solemnly, Blaine held up his arms to be picked up. Brion was already clambering up the side of his mother's bed to see, assisted by Alyce. Xenia, too, was reaching toward the baby and her mother, so Zoë obliged by bringing her closer.

«Ba-bee!» Xenia crowed, reaching out to stroke the infant's blanket.

«What're we gonna name him, Mama?» Brion wanted to know, grinning as a tiny hand closed on his forefinger.

«Well, your father has suggested Nigel», Richeldis replied. «What do you think?»

«Nigel's a good name!» Brion agreed, nodding. «Now I got two brothers, named Blaine an' Nigel!»

«And a very pretty sister!» Zoë added, bestowing an audible kiss on the cheek of the squirming Xenia.

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