Night Sky

[Rhonya]

My eyes opened as a pang of pain made its way from my stomach to my back, slowly and almost agonizingly so, causing me to curl up a little as it reached my spine. A soft grunt escaped from my lips, a rough awakening like this. It had been happening more recently the further along in the pregnancy I got, and the more stress was added. Rolling on my back, I exhaled slowly and carefully stretched my back, my hands cupping the rounding of my stomach, softly rubbing the skin, trying to calm whatever it was that was happening inside. The pup was restless too; I could feel her shift and turn.

Opening my eyes a little more, I let them adjust to my surroundings. One of the simple buildings in the keep, I’d found a spot somewhat alone behind some crates and out of the way. No one would bother me here, and I wouldn’t bother anyone either with my odd times of waking up. With a deep sigh I managed to heave myself up to my feet, it was getting harder every day to just do the simplest of things, even putting boots on and off had become a challenge because I couldn’t even see my feet, and I couldn’t bend that far anymore.
I threw my most simple robe over my head and waddled my way outside into the dark of the night., leaving Lian sleeping on my furs. The robe was a little too long, but my stomach made up for that length now, pulling it up higher on the front. I was so done with this pregnancy.

Somewhat longingly I eyed the gates of the keep, standing on one of the ledges now on the hill, overlooking the camp, the dry, warm Barrens wind in my back. I couldn’t even go outside these days, with that Kor’kron fanatic stalking the plains. Twice she had targeted me, twice someone else had to stand up for me and get me out of there. A low growl build in the back of my throat and my fist clenched a little at my side. She’d get what she deserved, some day. I wasn’t used to being such a vulnerable target, and I hated it. Hated it utterly, that I had to stand back and let others do the fighting for me.

The growl faded as I thought about what Mozrogg had said though. I could still hear the words he said, echoing in my mind, as if he was standing right in front of me again, the anger on his face, in his eyes.
“She won't get near you as long as I draw breath. I will protect you. By my blood.  You and yer unborn pup.  She will not bother you again. And if she does, I'll tear her limb from limb.”
I had noticed a shift there, between us. Something changing and I was surprised about it actually to see such raw ferocity, that honesty when he had spoken. Gone was the smirking, the joking and the light teases, he had meant it, and it somewhat frightened me for some reason. Even though it also comforted me, the thought he'd be there, he would have my back. As much as I was annoyed by it that I even needed that right now.

I sat down on the edge of the wall, dangling my legs over the edge, putting my hands behind me to lean on so I could look up at the stars above, not a cloud in the sky. My right hand was still in bandages, but I ignored the pain as I leaned my weight back. Sadok was still fresh in my head as well, the talk we had had, the choices that had been made, the things that had finally been closed off. I didn’t really blame him for anything he’d done. I knew very well a lot of it was my own fault, but I had blinded myself to that before. He’d pushed my boundaries today, and I finally had let go of him. It felt like an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders, now I’d finally been able to say goodbye, and close that chapter of my life. Of course I still felt for him, and carried his pup in my stomach, but it felt…different now. Easier.

My eyes scanned the sky, remembering something Gashuk had once said, that our fates were somehow written in the patterns of the stars. I didn’t really believe such mad words, but the thought was comforting somehow anyway. What would happen would happen, and I just had to sit out a few more months, before I could start anew completely. Go back to being my old self, do my duties, face my problems and keep the tribe safe.

Oh, and I had to kill that damned thief of course, before we would leave here. Somehow. The corner of my mouth curled up into a smirk, as I started to think up some plans…

[Okiba]

Nice little story!

...I often find myself looking forward to what you write, half for the little insights, the other half for the nifty images!

Moar cheesecake.

((right, I wrote "moar please!" at the end of my message here, it got changed to "Moar cheesecake." the dook is going on?))

[Rhonya]

((Haha thanks!
And that's Koz his fun. Some words on this forum get changed automatically to others. xD ))