Lands of Nowhere by Shannah Jay

Author:Shannah Jay [Jay, Shannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780330356404
Publisher: Shannah Jay
Published: 1995-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

'Oh!' Katia clutched Carryn's arm and gasped.

'Katia! What's the matter? Are you all right?'

'It's the babies. I think they've started. Ahhh!' Katia sighed with relief as her stomach muscles slackened and her body returned to normal. 'I think we'd better return.'

Her face was joyful and Carryn looked at her in wonderment. 'You're longing for them to be born, aren't you?'

'Of course I am. I miss Siri-Soo dreadfully. I had her for such a short time before I had to leave her. To leave a child behind is - not easy.'

'And yet you and Davred chose to leave her there.'

Katia's expression was bitter. 'Could I have brought a one-year old child along with us? No. My duty to the Quest, to our Brother, is stronger even than a mother's love. Davred and I both knew that she must stay in Tenebron. Maybe we shall meet her again one day.'

Carryn bowed her head, not knowing what to say, not wanting to dwell on the sadness about Siri-Soo, and not wanting to show how envious she was of Katia's happy anticipation of the birth.

They walked slowly back to the camp, stopping twice to wait until Katia's contractions had passed.

Although Carryn kept glancing fearfully at her companion, Katia remained serene, her attention focused on the changes occurring in her body. She had put aside her grief about Siri-Soo. Why, wondered Carryn, could she not follow Katia's example? Why could she not accept what her Brother the God brought her?

Herra was waiting for them in the birthing tent used by all the women of Quequere. 'I have everything ready,' she said calmly. 'Do you wish to lie down for a while, Katia, or would you like to continue walking around?'

She talks as if it's no more than a toothache, thought Carryn rebelliously. This is going to hurt Katia, probably give her agony, and none of them seem to care.

'I'd rather walk around. The contractions are not really urgent yet. I think I'll go and tell Davred.'

'I've already told him it would be today.'

Katia smiled and embraced Herra. 'Who can hide anything from you, Elder Sister?' she teased. 'Where is he?'

'Helping prepare the midday meal.'

'I'll join him for a while.'

Carryn made to follow her out of the tent, but Herra's hand on her shoulder stopped her. 'Don't go, child.

I need to talk to you.'

Carryn stiffened. 'It's no use, Elder Sister. I can't change how I feel.'

'I know. It's not that. But I'd like you to help at this birthing.'

'Me! What do I know about birthing?'

'Too little. That's why I want you to stay. You need to be thoroughly aware of what your own body is approaching, and Katia will be an ideal teacher. She gives birth easily, working with her body, not fighting it.'

Carryn's face was closed and hostile, her eyelids lowered to hide her thoughts, but she knew better than to argue with Herra. 'As you wish, Elder Sister.'

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