The Core

‘Mistress,’ Darsy said. ‘Where’s Rojer?’

Leesha kept her breath a deep, steady rhythm as she pointed to the coffin a group of Cutters were pulling from the carriage.

Darsy let out a strangled cry and pulled up short. Leesha would have overbalanced and stumbled if not for Wonda.

‘Bottle it, Darsy,’ Wonda growled. ‘Ent got time right now.’ Darsy nodded, recovering herself and getting them back in motion.

Amanvah glided up the steps swiftly, ignoring the glares of Wonda and Darsy. One look in her eyes was all Leesha needed.

She knows.

‘Countess Leesha,’ the dama’ting began.

‘Not now, Amanvah,’ Leesha breathed.

Amanvah ignored her, stepping in close. Wonda reached out to bar her way, but Amanvah put a knuckle into the arm and it fell away long enough for her to pass.

‘I must assist the birth,’ she said without preamble.

‘Core you will,’ Darsy growled.

‘I have cast the dice, mistress,’ Amanvah said quietly. ‘If I am not with you in the coming hours, you will die.’

‘That some kinda threat?’ Wonda’s voice was low and dangerous.

‘Stop it, all of you,’ Leesha said. ‘She comes.’

‘I can do anything …’ Darsy began.

Leesha groaned, feeling the need to bear down. ‘There’s no time.’ She put a foot on the steps. Such a short climb, but it felt like a mountain.

Tarisa was waiting at the top. Leesha managed the climb unassisted, but still the woman needed only a glance to see what was happening.

‘This way,’ she said, turning on her heel and opening the doors, snapping her fingers at a group of maids. They scurried to her as she walked, and like a general, Tarisa sent them running off with instructions.

Leesha knew word would spread quickly now, but there was nothing to be done for it. She kept all her focus on breathing and putting one foot in front of the other.

The moment they left the great hall, Wonda signalled the guards. They closed ranks as the big woman swept Leesha up into her arms like a child, carrying her the rest of the way.

‘Push,’ Darsy said.

It was a pointless request. Leesha could feel the baby moving the moment they had her propped on the edge of the bed. It was coming whether she pushed or not. She was fully dilated, her water broken all over Wonda’s fine wooden armour. It would be over in moments.

But then the child thrashed, and Leesha cried out in pain. Darsy, too, gave a cry, seeing Leesha’s stomach distend as tiny hands and feet thrust into the lining. It felt like a demon inside her, trying to claw its way free. Fresh bruises were forming atop the faded ones all over her abdomen.

‘Can you see it?’ Leesha demanded.

Darsy sucked a breath and moved back in between the makeshift stirrups. ‘No, mistress.’

Corespawn it. She was so close.

‘Help me up,’ she said, gripping Wonda’s hand. ‘It will be easier if I squat.’ She bore down, trying to squeeze the child free.

Again the child struck, hitting her like a horse’s kick. Leesha screamed and stumbled, but Wonda caught her, easing her back to the pillows.

‘It is as I feared,’ Amanvah said. ‘Mistress, I must cut the child free.’

Wonda immediately interposed herself. ‘Not a chance.’

Darsy rose, the large woman towering over tiny Amanvah. ‘Not if you were the last Gatherer in the world.’

‘Leesha vah Erny am’Paper am’Hollow,’ Amanvah said. ‘By Everam and my hope of Heaven, I swear to you, the only chance you have to survive this night is for me to cut you.’

Wonda had her knife in hand now, and Leesha knew how fast the woman could use it.

But then Amanvah did something Leesha could never in a thousand years have imagined. She dropped to her knees, putting her hands on the floor and pressing her forehead between them.

‘By the blood we share, mistress. Please. Ala needs you. Sharak Ka needs you. You must believe me.’

‘Blood you share?’ Darsy asked. ‘What in the Core …?’

‘Do it,’ Leesha growled as the thrashing continued.

‘You can’t mean …’ Darsy began.

‘I can and I do, Darsy Cutter,’ Leesha snapped. ‘She’s better with the knife than you and you know it. Swallow your pride and assist.’

Darsy scowled, but she nodded as Amanvah produced stones from her hora pouch. ‘I will put you both to sleep …’

Leesha shook her head. ‘Calm the child, but I’m staying awake.’

‘There is no time to take herbs for the pain,’ Amanvah said.

‘Then get me something to bite on,’ Leesha said.

Amanvah’s eyes crinkled as she smiled behind her veil. She nodded. ‘Your honour is boundless, daughter of Erny. Pain is only wind. Bend as the palm, and let it blow over you.’

The child’s cries filled the room, the babe wrapped in swaddling and thrust into Wonda’s arms while Amanvah and Darsy finished their work. Darsy was suturing the wound as Amanvah prepared hora magic to speed the healing.

Wonda stood stiff as any new father, terrified she might squeeze the child too hard and crush it. She looked down at the tiny olive-skinned face, and Leesha knew the young woman would die to keep the baby safe.

Leesha’s arms twitched, wanting to reach out, but she needed to remain still until the work was done. For the moment, it was almost enough to know the child was healthy and safe.

Almost.

‘What is it?’ Leesha asked.

Wonda’s head snapped up like an apprentice caught daydreaming. ‘Mistress?’