Warlord

hand. I recognized the black flint that was used in the tips of their throwing lances. Ironic that such an instrument of death could be used to save a life. Everyone else was stripping off their tunics, men and women, due to the heat. One of the men offered me a bowl and a pitcher of water, and I held out my hands for the ritual blessing, praying as the water poured over my hands and the knife. Goddess, please guide my hands. I took my place, and watched as another contraction wracked through my patient. "Scream, Eace," I of fered. "It will help with the pain."
    "I will not," Eace panted, laying flat, her face white as snow, sweat pouring off her. "I am a warrior of the Plains. I will not move, I will not flinch. I will chant battle cries." I exchanged glances with some of the older women in the room, about to roll my eyes at that comment. But their faces were grim, and I realized that they expected the pain. They thought that was normal. I sighed, and shook my head. "I will not take a chance. Hold her down." Many hands reached, and Eace started to chant. "Birth of air, death of—" Warrior that she was, the poor thing didn't scream. She jerked under their hands at the touch of my blade, and then conveniently fainted away. I worked swiftly to take advantage of that, making my first cut carefully. Two men stood off to the side, and used cloths to keep the site as clean as possible. Eln had developed a new technique with these births, pushing the muscles aside instead of slicing them, cutting only where absolutely necessary. I strained, working my hands in, trying to keep my cuts as small as possible.
    Once through the womb, I handed the knife out, and reached in to sort out the babe, feeling for the cord, to make sure it wasn't wrapped around—
    I laughed right out loud as my fingers told me what I needed to know.
    The theas looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. I just shook my head, and eased forth the babe, who popped out screaming. One of the men stood close, with a clean cloth held open for the child. I placed the crying boy in the blanket, the cord still attached.
    "Heyla!" The man laughed and grinned at me. "Hear a warrior's cries!" The others broke out into smiles, but I just plunged my hands back inside. "Then here's double the joy!" I carefully pulled forth another baby, a girl, red-faced and furious, screaming at this new world. She was even louder than her brother, and she had every right to be, since it was her foot that had blocked the canal.
    "Twins!" The theas around us crowed in joy, crooning to the babes. Reness moved closer, and I looked to her. "Can you tie off the cords, Reness? I must finish here." Reness drew her dagger again, her face as bright as the blade. "I am honored, Warprize." I turned my attention to Eace, and worked to make sure that I cleaned her out well, before I started to stitch her closed. I tried to be careful, with small stitches, but I was fighting time and her bleeding. Amyu remained by Eace's head, stroking her forehead, and stared at me with wide eyes. The babes were off behind me, being cleaned and checked over. But theas remained with me, helping to keep the site clear of blood, dealing with the mess. No wonder she had such a problem, the babes were so large, and Eace a small thing. I concentrated on my work, mindful that my patient was a warrior, and would want to leap to her feet at the first moment of awareness.
    Which gave me an idea. Once I had the birthsack closed off, I gestured to my satchel. "I've bloodmoss in there, wrapped in blue cloth. Could someone—"
    "I know it." One of the theas reached within, and held it out for me. I gave him a surprised look. He shrugged. "I was given some by one of Keir's warriors."
    I checked first, to see that the birthsack was properly positioned, that the muscles had eased back into position. Then I pulled the skin together and applied the bloodmoss.
    Sure enough, it started to seal the cut, leaving an angry red line in its place. I had to be careful, I didn't want the herb to seal the layers together. But the bloodmoss did its work, turned color and then pulled clean away from the wound. I took a step back, and drew in a deep breath of relief. Eace was still unconscious, but her breathing had eased. I placed my hand on her chest to find her heart beating steadily.
    "She's ... ?" Amyu looked at me.
    I smiled, tired and sweating and feeling so very good. "She's well, so far. Only time will tell." The theas moved in then, with