“Oh shade blasted shades of night.” Thailyn swore. “Does that even make any sense?” Lial asked as he came back to the potions room. “Shut up.” Thailyn growled. “What happened?” “I messed up the potion.” “Which one are you making?” “Green bough.” Lial did a double take. “Green bough? And you messed it up? Are you sick?” He reached for Thailyn. Thailyn jerked away. “Don't touch me. Yes, I am sick.” “You’re never sick. What's wrong?” “My shedding has me messed up again. I'm tired, moody, nauseous. I can't concentrate enough to treat myself.” Lial laughed. Thailyn frowned. “What?” “Listen to yourself. If that woman that just left had come in complaining of those symptoms, what would you check her for? Fatigue, moodiness, nausea?” Thailyn stared at him a moment then smacked his for head. Lial laughed again. “You aren't sick, old friend. Darina’s pregnant. You over rode the birth control potion with your healing abilities.” Thailyn growled at his mistake but then smiled. Darina was pregnant. He was going to be a father. “Don’t get too excited.” Lial cautioned. “You need to check her first. I’m saying it’s the most likely possibility. Finish that potion and go back to Thager and talk to her.” **** Thailyn transported to the magic shop. “Lyni!” Darina was surprised to see him. He wasn't supposed to be back for several days. “I need to talk to you.” He pulled her into the stock room. There, he kissed her, checking her at the same time. “Sweetie, not here,” she said, misunderstanding. “You didn't tell me you weren’t feeling well.” She shrugged it off. “I'm fine. It's just a little nausea.” He shook his head. “No it's not.” He kissed her again. She frowned. “It's not?” He shook his head again. “Then what is it?” He grinned. “You're pregnant.” “I'm what?” “You're pregnant. You're going to be a mom. You have a little baby developing in there.” He poked her stomach gently. “Are you serious?” “Do I feel like I'm joking?” “But we were going to wait.” He sighed. “I know. It's my fault and I'm sorry.” “Your fault? I was there too.” She reminded him. “I know but I said I would take care of birth control.” “So what happened?” “Best I can figure, that night I came back from shedding.” “You mean the one where you were going to sleep on the floor but didn’t?” She grinned. He nodded. “I think it was too focused on making sure I didn't hurt myself. Are you mad?” She shook her head. “Just surprised. But this is good. Now Mom will get to see at least one grandbaby, hopefully.” Thailyn nodded. “She should.” “Can you tell if it's a boy or girl yet?” He shook his head. “It's too soon. And the baby will probably be an unreadable so it may take longer.” Darina nodded. “That's fine.” “I can't stay but I'll scry you later.” Thailyn told her. “We can talk more then.” She nodded. “And wait until I get home to tell your mother.” He added. “Me tell her? You did this to me.” Darina laughed. “I didn't hear any complaints.” He grinned. “And you won't.” She kissed him one last time and then he left. **** Dear child, I don't even know what to call you yet. We just learned your mother, Darina is pregnant. While this is unexpected, it's a most welcome surprise. I do worry though that I may not be able to always be there for you. That is why I'm writing to you, so you will know that you are loved and perhaps you'll understand why I can't be there with you. “What are you writing?” Lial asked. “A journal entry,” Thailyn said. “That's not your medical journal.” “Nope. It's a personal one. I just started it. It's for the baby in case I can't stay with them.” Lial nodded. “That's not a bad idea.” “It used to be a common practice on Tricon, especially when we had all the trouble with immortals. You never knew if you would live long enough to see your children become adults. But when the immortals started leaving us alone, it fell out of practice. People started believing they would live to see their kids grow up. But I thought I’d do it, just in case.” “Good thinking.” Lial nodded. “You ever think about settling down and starting a family?” Thailyn asked. “I have but my kids would be part elves. King Arlin and I have an agreement but I don't know that it would extend to my family.” He might have said more but a woman entered with a young girl. Thailyn noticed they both had very blue eyes. “Can we help you?” Thailyn asked. “My daughter has a cough,” the woman said. “Why don’t we go back to a patient room and see what the trouble is.” Thailyn suggested. “I told you the trouble.” The woman insisted. “She has a cough.” “I meant, let’s see what's causing the cough.” Thailyn explained. “I try to respect a patient's privacy and not treat them in the waiting room. Come.” The woman frowned but she followed, bringing the girl with. “Have you ever been to a healer before?” Thailyn asked girl. “She's usually quite healthy. It hasn't been a need.” Mother told him. “Well, it's really quite simple.” He explained to the girl. “You take my hand. I'll read your illness. Then, either I'll heal you or I'll give you a potion or maybe both.” “We already gave her healing potions. They didn't work. Just heal her.” The mother insisted. “There are other potions we might need.” He turned back to the girl. “The healing usually doesn't hurt but sometimes you feel a little sensation, okay?” “Just heal her.” The woman frowned. “I'm just trying to help her feel more comfortable,” Thailyn said. “Sometimes it helps.” He reached out his hand. Tentatively, the girl took it. He was hit by a staggering number of past injuries. She had a nasty cough but she had also been beaten several times. He frowned. The two legged could be so barbaric to their children. He suppressed a growl. “I can heal her cough but she's also got Mitztel. That's going to take a little longer to heal and like sleepless fever; you'll need to follow special instructions at home.” The woman frowned. “I've never heard of Mitztel.” “It's more common than you'd think.” He went to the door. “Lial, the girl’s got Mitztel. Why don’t you give the mom instructions while I treat the girl?” “Mitztel?” Lial frowned. “That's what I said.” He hoped Lial remembered what that meant. Mitztel was Tricot for protection. It was a signal to get the parents or spouse out of the room so the patient could talk privately. “This lady needs instructions.” “Sorry. It's been a while since we've had any Mitztel patients. Ma'am, right this way, please. Retin will treat you daughter. It shouldn't take long.” Lial ushered the woman out. Thailyn shut the door behind them and the girl cringed. “I won't hurt you.” He assured her. He reached out his hand. “We’ll get rid of the cough so you can breathe. Then, we'll deal with the other problem, okay?” The girl took his hand but said nothing. “It's okay. You can talk if you want.” The girl looked at him and then cocked her head. “Can you talk?” Thailyn asked. The girl hesitated before nodding. “Did your mother say not to?” He guessed. She nodded again. “Is she the one who hurt you?” He asked. She looked confused. “When I read someone's health, I don't just read one problem. I read them all, even old ones, like healed broken bones. Did your mom do that?” The girl shook her head. “I don't need healing potion from her.” “So she does hit you, just not as hard as someone else?” The girl nodded. “Is your father the other one?” He asked. The girl nodded again. “Would you like help getting away from them? Thailyn offered. “How?” “We can contact the guard. The list of injuries would be enough to arrest them.” “But who would take care of me?” She asked. “You have any other family? An aunt or uncle perhaps or grandparent?” The girl shook her head. “I don't have other family.” “Well, you really should stay the night, just to be on the safe side.” He really didn't know what would happen with the girl. “I'll talk with Lial before we do anything, okay?” The girl nodded again. It appeared she wanted help but was scared. Moments later the mother came in. “All set?” Thailyn asked. “It seems like an awful lot of work.” The mother frowned. “You should see the list for Sleepless Fever or Reys Tor. It really shouldn't be too bad. The girl needs to stay overnight for observation.” “You didn't heal her?” The woman frowned. “I did, but sometimes there are complications. She had quite a bad cough and Mitztel isn't something to be taken lightly.” “Unacceptable. Either heal my daughter or I'll take her elsewhere.” “She is healed, but she…” Thailyn started. “Then we’re leaving. If there are any problems, I’ll bring her back.” “Ma'am, please.” Lial stepped in. “Retin is a very experienced healer. He wouldn't suggest this if he didn't think it was needed.” “I said were leaving.” She grabbed the girl's arm and pulled. “Come, Yamaria.” The girl jumped up. “It's okay. I can help them with the cleaning list.” She told Thailyn. “You need to be in bed.” Thailyn told her. He looked at the mother. “If you take her now, you put her to bed as soon as you get home and make sure she stays there for at least a day.” The woman frowned and looked like she might say something. Then she turned and left, pulling the girl behind her. “You said the list wasn't as bad as Reyes Tor. I'm glad you didn’t say what that list entailed. That was the list I gave her.” Lial told him. “It doesn't matter. She won't follow it.” “Is she abusing the kid?” Thailyn nodded. “Both parents are.” “Should we report it to the guard?” Thailyn shrugged. “We don't know who they are or where they live and the girl has no other family.” “You call that family?” Lial frowned. “She has no one to take her in.” Thailyn amended. “What would happen to her?” Lial shrugged. Thailyn sighed. He felt so helpless at times like this. Once, as the world’s most powerful healer, he had been a bit of a celebrity and could influence others, get them to help the girl. And if he couldn't, his father, the most powerful mortal mage, could have. Everyone here looked up to Mishtali. But Mishtali was dead and Thailyn was in hiding. So the girl, like so many others, wouldn't get the help she needed. **** They sat eating dinner. Darina stomach twisted in knots. She didn't know why. She didn't see a reason that she should be this nervous over telling her mother about the baby. Most likely, she'd be happy about having a grandchild. She already knew they were sleeping together. The only thing was she felt they should be married. “Mom, we wanted to tell you something.” Darina started, glancing at Thailyn. “I guessed that by how quiet you are.” Fria frowned. “I'm pregnant.” Fria smiled. “A baby? Congratulations. I'd hoped to see it least one grandchild before I died. Though, I’d also hoped to see a wedding.” She looked at Thailyn. “You think you could manage to see fit to marry my daughter now?” “Fria, I want to marry Darina. I've proposed several times. She keeps refusing.” Thailyn told her. “Is that right?” Fria crossed her arms and frowned at her daughter. “Lyni's not a citizen,” Darina explained. “I didn’t want there to be trouble.” “No one cares about that. We'll go to the magistrate the morning. He'll explain it.” Fria waved it off. “That might not be a good idea,” Thailyn said. “My people aren't happy with me. If they find me, there could be trouble.” “So become a citizen. Then you'll have the crown's protection, unless what you did was on Menthanlan soil. Even then, unless you broke one of Menthanla’s laws, I'm pretty sure you're okay.” Fria told them. She frowned a moment. “It's too bad my grandma’s sister isn't around. She knew enough about Menthanla to rule. What if we could find her?” “Mom, she wouldn’t still be alive.” Darina reminded her. “Oh, she wasn't that old.” Fria assured her. Darina frowned. Thailyn had just treated her. She shouldn’t be having problems already. “Mom, you're 60 years old. There's no way she could still be alive.” “I’m not 60.” Fria insisted. “And she most likely is still alive. Well, assuming she hasn't done something fool hearty. She could be like that sometimes, at least according to my grandma. I haven’t seen her since I was a teenager.” “What was her name?” Thailyn asked. “I could scry her.” He offered, laying a hand on hers. “Scry? No, you can to that. She's protected from that.” Fria shook her head. “Well then, since she isn't here and there's no way to contact her, maybe we should talk about something else, like the baby.” He suggested. Fria smiled. “That's right, the baby. We'll have a lot to do to get ready.” She continued on throughout the meal making plans and suggestions. **** “She's doing okay.” Thailyn told Darina later. “Then why would she think this woman was still alive? She'd be well over 100 by now. Humans don’t live that long.” “They can.” Thailyn told her. “What? Maybe a few years but she’d be very old and it's unlikely.” “No, I meant a spell. Remember, I used it on Chartar? It can be used on humans as well. I actually wanted to talk to you about using it on you. Lial's agreed to help.” “Me?” “I’ll probably live another thousand years. I don't want to lose you after only a few decades.” “Does it hurt?” He shook his head. “Not that I’ve been told.” “I suppose.” she nodded. “You have time to think about it. We can’t do it while you're pregnant. It could affect the baby too.” “Nothing that'll hurt the baby,” Darina said. Thailyn nodded. “This baby will get the best care. Nothing will happen to baby or mama if I can help it.” “I just hope for a healthy child. I couldn't handle that along with my mother.” “Then you chose the right father. I'm keeping a close eye on everything.” “Checking several times a day?” Darina teased. “Almost every time I touch you.” Thailyn admitted. Darina chuckled. “You are too good to me.” He took her in his arms. “I hope I'm good enough.”