Page 23 of The Elven Healer's Apprentice

“Since noon,” Orin responded. “We weren’t concerned since false labor is common in these kinds of pregnancy. Then around mid-afternoon they settled into a regular rhythm.”

“That was when Casimir left,” Veta added between gritted teeth. “Thank you, Orin. I hope I didn’t hurt your hand.”

The young man flexed it a bit and shook his head. “All is well. Shall I go check on the children?”

“Yes, please. Tell Sombra I am sorry to miss our reading time tonight.”

Orin left just as I finished mixing the first draught. I turned toward the bed to find Veta resting, her delicate features drawn and pale against the dark fabrics.

“I am sorry, my lady, but I must ask you to drink this. It is a mixture of herbs that should help slow and hopefully stop the labor before it begins in earnest.”

She turned her head and smiled at me sadly. “I fear it will be in vain, but I will try.”

“Very good, my lady.” I eased her up into a half-sitting position and helped her take a sip of the liquid. She wrinkled her nose.

“How come draughts never taste pleasing?” she asked after the first swallow.

I laughed softly. “Probably because the herbs themselves are so pungent. Once mixed, their aromas and tastes overwhelm.” Watching the disgust on her features after the second swallow, I asked, “Do you need something to calm your stomach?”

She shook her head. “I am well for now.”

I eased her back down onto her side before beginning the physical examination. The babes within were all hale and active, as far as I could tell. The labor hadn’t progressed very far, so there was hope my mixture would slow if not stop it. Once finished, I left in search of a pitcher of water and a cup. Keeping the mother hydrated always helped slow early labor.

Upon my return, I eased Veta up once again to drink. Finding her more at ease and alert, I began quizzing her about her children. She was just recounting an engaging tale from only the week before when suddenly Casimir arrived, accompanied by a deathly pale Merlon.

Even before the shadow magic had cleared from about Casimir’s feet, Merlon ripped his shoulder from the shadow elf’s grip and stumbled to the wall, catching himself with a trembling hand.

“Never again, Cas.” Merlon dropped his head forward and breathed raggedly as he grasped for control of what appeared to be mild hysteria.

“I told you I wouldn’t demand it unless it meant someone’s life or death.” Casimir strode to the bed and his wife. Leaning over the bed, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “How are you?”

“Better,” she whispered, smiling up at the shadow elf. “Adela is a wonder.”

Merlon lifted his head and frowned at me. “You let that bully take you through the shadow lands?”

I blinked in surprise. “Obviously I did. Lady Veta needed someone to help her.”

Merlon’s glare shifted to Casimir’s back. “My oath applies to Adela as well. Never again.” The emotion and magic flared around him like a prickly halo.

The shadow elf rolled his eyes. “Fine. Now, tend to my wife. She needs your attention.”

Ignoring the tension between the two elves, I began listing the patient’s vitals and summarizing the events since I had arrived. Merlon gradually focused on my words. Within minutes, his coloring had returned to normal. Only the slight tremor in his fingers as he set up his spells for examining Veta betrayed that something remained unresolved.

I settled into my role as assistant with ease, but in the back of my mind, I kept a tally of all the signs that Merlon wasn’t well.

He began barking orders, but his tone was harsher than normal. Servants scattered before his commands, showing more fear of him than their master. Personally, I found Casimir more intimidating. However, his stoic lack of expression and the aura of danger he carried like an armor were betrayed by his magic. It never attacked or threatened me. When I encountered it, it almost behaved in a friendly way.

Casimir climbed onto the bed behind his wife so that he supported her. Claiming her much smaller hand, he encouraged her to squeeze as much as she needed when the pains came. The shadows in the room waxed and waned in unison with his wife’s contractions. They had slowed, but despite my best efforts, they continued to come.

As I worked soothing Veta, encouraging her to drink more water, and mixing another dose of the draught I had given her before, Merlon prepared to initiate a magical intervention. One moment the room was full of servants rushing to do his bidding, the next it was almost completely empty—only the four of us and a wizened elf male remained.

Merlon approached my side as I accepted the emptied mug from Veta. “I am going to be setting up my wards and examining the situation. I will set the parameters so that only you can pass through the edges,” he informed me. “The room needs to remain clear of anyone else.”

“I am not leaving,” Casimir stated firmly.

A flare of annoyance instantly turned Merlon’s eyes into silvery ice. “Overly protective shadow elves aside, of course. Though I would request that you at least attempt to curb the effects of your magic while I work. Ignoring the suffocating shadows is hard enough without them ebbing and flowing withyour wife’s distress. I need to concentrate, or none of us will like the results.”

Casimir nodded and turned his attention to his wife, as if Merlon’s tone hadn’t been biting enough to break skin.

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