A Regent's Sacrifice – Chapter 2

Over the next few days Arianna had become highly agitated and upset and Marsyas did not know what to make of her sudden change in demeanor.  He had tried to talk to her, but the conversation had not gone well. 

Marsyas had gotten up early that particular morning to go speak with Commander Sacren concerning an upcoming meeting of all the Commanders.  He was headed for the Command Center when he realized he did not have the notes he made the night before and stopped off at the Manor to retrieve them.  He was upset that he did not yet have the report he had sent Reid to obtain from the Command Center of the Twelfth Vortex, but there was nothing to be done.  The Communications Center at that vortex appeared to be down and he would question Commander Ianscia when he arrived for the meeting the following day.

Aggie had finished giving Sasha a good brushing and was placing her down when she heard the front door open.  She hurried into the hall in time to see Marsyas closing the door.   "My Lord, Master Derek is still upstairs with the Regent."

Marsyas looked at Aggie with a puzzled expression.  "And, the reason for you telling me this, Aggie?"

"Oh, I am sorry, my Lord, I thought perhaps you came home to find out the results of the examination."

"I had no idea she was seeing Derek today, but thank you for telling me, Aggie."  Marsyas wondered whether it was a routine examination, and if so, why hadn't she mentioned it to him.  Is she that nervous over the impending birth?  Why is she keeping things from me?

Aggie inclined her head and went into the kitchen to start breakfast for the Regent while Marsyas hurriedly retrieved his notes from his study, still upset over the fact that Arianna had not told him of the examination.  He would try to speak to her later. 

He closed the door of the study and caught sight of his brother, Derek, leaving the bedroom and stopped him in the hall.  "Derek, how is Arianna feeling?"

"She is doing very well.  Why do you ask?"

"She is not herself."

"Not herself?  She seems fine to me."

Marsyas shook his head as he began to pace.  "I cannot explain it, but she seems anxious, upset."

Derek chuckled.  "It is the pregnancy, my brother.  In a few weeks everything will fall into place."

That explanation did not entirely convince Marsyas and he said as much.  "I do not think it is merely her pregnancy, Derek.  Something else is bothering her."

"How many pregnant women have you lived with?"

Marsyas eyed his brother as if he had suddenly grown another head.  "That is an utterly absurd question.  As you know, I have never been married before."

"My very point, Marsyas.  A pregnant woman's hormones are erratic.  I am sure after the baby is born, she will be back to her old self."

Marsyas walked his brother out and when he turned around, Azzam stood but a few feet from him.  "I take it that you overheard that conversation?"

Azzam folded his hands behind him.  "Yes, my Lord, and I agree with you, the Regent is very upset over something and it is not the impending birth of her first child."

Marsyas frowned.  "Derek could use a few more lessons in figuring out pregnant women."

Azzam furrowed his eyebrows and asked, "Have you spoken to her about your concerns, my Lord?"

"I tried, but she became quiet and refused to speak to me about it," Marsyas replied in a frustrated tone.

Azzam's cobalt eyes lit up with a thought.  "Perhaps Miss Carey might have better luck at getting her to open up?"

Marsyas moved his right thumb back and forth over his bottom lip contemplating Azzam's suggestion.  "That is a possibility."

"Miss Carey will be arriving later this morning to go over the nursery with the Regent one last time.  I could speak to her, if you like," Azzam said encouragingly.

Marsyas nodded.  "Yes, thank you, Azzam.  I have to prepare for a meeting with the Commanders tomorrow morning regarding the disturbances at the Twelfth Vortex, so I will be going down to the Command Center, but I shall return early this afternoon."

Azzam waited for Marsyas to leave and then went to take up his guard duties outside the Regent's bedroom, but he was suddenly uneasy.  So the rumors of the disturbances are true.  I wonder what is causing them?  There has not been a disturbance there since Rebecca's time. 

The arrival of Carey at the Manor quickly brought Azzam downstairs, where he caught her before she was about to ascend the stairs.  "Good morning, Miss Carey."

"Morning, blue eyes.  How's Ari?"

Azzam had gotten used to Carey's nickname for him and smiled at her as he guided her toward the steps.  "That is what I wanted to speak to you about before you see her."

Carey immediately became concerned.  "What's wrong?"  She asked nervously.

"Relax, Miss Carey, there is nothing wrong.  His Lordship is concerned about the Regent's state of mind, as am I."

"What?"  Carey asked incredulously.

Azzam halted his steps and lowered his voice to a whisper.  "The Regent has not been herself and Derek's explanation, blaming it on her pregnancy, did nothing to alleviate his Lordship's concern."

"I was only here three days ago.  What's happened since then to have you and Marsyas so concerned?"

Azzam started toward the steps once again gesturing for Carey to precede him.  "The morning after you were here last, the Regent appeared to be in an agitated state, acting erratically, forgetting things, getting upset over the smallest things.  She will not speak to his Lordship about it."

Carey thought that odd.  "Okay, I'll dig around."

Azzam's blue eyes assessed Carey strangely.  "Dig around?"

"Find out what is going on," Carey supplied.

Arianna chose that moment to come out of her room and when she saw Carey speaking to Azzam, she was confused.  "Carey, what are you doing here?"

Carey glanced up at Ari.  "What?  What do you mean what am I doing here?  You asked me the last time I was here if I could come back today and help you go over the nursery one more time.  Don't you remember?"

"I am sorry, I must have forgotten.  I don't know if I am up to it."

"You do not have to do a thing.  Let me come up there," Carey said as she started up the stairs.

Arianna suddenly remembered why she came out of her room.  "Azzam, has Rashman returned yet?"

"No, my Lady."

"He has been gone close to two weeks."

"Yes, but I am sure he is merely traveling at a slow pace, my Lady."  Azzam knew the Advisor was having problems with his leg and was not feeling at all well, but he did not wish to burden the Regent with that news.

"Oh, very well.  I wish to see him when he returns.  I have something to discuss with him."

"I am sure he will come straight here when he returns, but I will leave word with Ahmed."

"Thank you, Azzam."

Carey joined Ari and they walked down the hall to the nursery.  "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine.  I wish everyone would stop fussing over me," Arianna snapped.

Carey did a double take as they walked into the nursery.  "Ari, what's wrong with you?  You are not yourself."

Arianna shook her head and sat down in the rocking chair that Marsyas had gotten for her.  "I am sorry, Carey.  I have just been a little anxious is all."

"Yeah, you can say that again.  I think you need to stop stressing over the baby and relax."

Arianna's eyes nearly popped at Carey's choice of words.  "I guess I have  been stressing.  I am…"

Carey went to her and put her hand on her shoulder.  "It is okay.  Relax.  Everything will be fine.  The Lady Isis is watching over you."

Carey's words brought a smile to Arianna's face.  "Yes, I have to remember that she is always with me."  But she confuses me with her words.  I am worried about my baby.

The rest of the morning was spent fixing the bassinet and getting the crib ready, but Arianna did not tell Carey the real reason for her anxiety and Carey could sense there was something left unsaid between them. 

Carey was getting ready to leave when she suddenly had a thought.  "Ari, Grandmother wanted to come over today, but she had to do something with Nafre, how about I come back tomorrow with her?"

"Grandmother?"  Arianna said with a smile.

Carey turned a light shade of red and giggled.  "Well, she said that if I called her Katrina one more time she was going to paddle my behind with Rashman's staff."

Arianna giggled.  "That would be something.  It is about time, but I don't want you to go out of your way…I mean…"

"Oh, stop that.  I love spending time with you and your grandmother wants to see you.  She was telling me that there are dozens of portraits up in the attic that we can investigate, that is after you have the baby."  Carey wondered where that thought came from.  Geez, Grandmother mentioned that months ago.  I wonder why I thought of it now?

"Portraits?  That would be great.  Maybe we can get Azzam to bring down a few tomorrow," Arianna suggested.

"Yes, that would be a wonderful idea.  I would love to see portraits of your ancestors."

"All right, Carey, tomorrow is good."

Carey and Arianna embraced and when Carey walked out the door, she had a mischievous glint in her eyes.  Great idea indeed.  This will definitely take Ari's mind off whatever is bothering her. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

Rashman and Asad had been traveling for five days, stopping at the end of each day to rest.  The two had reined in their horses for the night and Asad was in the process of divesting the horses of their saddles. 

Rashman stretched out his sore leg as he sat back on a tree stump.  All this riding was taking a toll on him.  I will be glad to get back home where I can hopefully rest for a while.  "By this time tomorrow evening we should be at the Manor," Rashman stated.

Asad had been moody the past two days and the announcement of their imminent arrival did not go over well.  "Ahh, so I shall come face to face with our Regent, at last.  What joy."

Rashman gritted his teeth, but refused to be baited.  "You will need to practice."

Asad had finished removing the saddles and their gear with jerky motions, then proceeded to yank a brush out of his knapsack to begin brushing down the horses.  However, his hand became gentle as he guided the brush over the horse's sweaty flank.  "Practice?"

"With your sword; you are a Guardian after all and the training I gave you years ago has most likely been forgotten."

"I have no need of practice.  I am extremely agile," he replied in a tone that showed his rising temper, causing the horse to snort.

"In your Shifter form yes, but not with the sword…"

"I am quite capable with the sword and I am equally agile in human form, uncle," Asad stated angrily.

Rashman shook his head as he began to prepare a meal for them. 

A short time later, Rashman had finished setting out their meager fair of dried fruits, bread and cheese.  He suddenly realized how quiet and still the night had become and after scanning the area where the horses were tethered, he became worried.  Where is he?  Rashman walked across their camp and found Asad's robe and tunic folded neatly on a large boulder.  Oh, please do not tell me he transformed.  How will he ever fit in at the Manor?  He quickly took another look around the campsite and glancing up at a small cliff, he saw Asad atop a huge boulder, sitting on his haunches surveying the area, but he was still in human form with nothing but his pants and boots on.  He breathed a sigh of relief.  "Is everything alright?"

Asad raised an eyebrow and replied, "Yes, uncle.  All is clear."  No one would dare come near our campsite while I am on guard.

Rashman was grateful he was in human form and gazed back at the robe he had left behind.  He had taken the liberty of providing his nephew with the clothing of a Guardian, for although Asad was a Shifter he also bore the crescent shaped mark of a Guardian as well.

"Asad, it is extremely cold this evening.  Come down and let us eat together before retiring for the night."

"I feel neither cold nor heat," Asad replied matter-of-factly.

"You are human…you feel…"

Asad rose and called out in a sarcastic manner, "I am a Shifter, made from the loins of the first Shifter.  Or have you forgotten who sired me?"

Rashman shook his head.  And an arrogant one at that.  I feel the trip to the Manor has not improved his attitude one bit. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The following morning, Carey arrived at the Manor with Katrina and Siathis.  The small group found Arianna sitting in the parlor trying to remove a large knot from behind Sasha's ear with the greatest of care. 

Katrina walked over and kissed her granddaughter on the cheek, then sat down on the sofa beside her as Sasha whined and tried to pull away from Arianna.  "Hello, my dear."

Arianna looked up for a moment and smiled at her grandmother.  "Hello, Grandmother."

Katrina reached over and caressed Sasha's paw trying to offer some comfort, for it was clear to see Sasha was upset even though Arianna was being extremely gentle with her.  "Sasha does not appear too happy at the moment."

Before Arianna could reply, Carey asked, "What happened?  Sasha looks like she has been playing in the dirt." 

"The little one thought she would romp in the flower bed after it had been cleaned of weeds and watered," Azzam commented.

"I went outside with Azzam to cut a few flowers and Sasha scampered over to the lavender and gardenia bed.  At first she only sniffed the flowers and then dove right in rolling around in the dirt."

Siathis stood near the fireplace with his arms folded before him, his lips curling into a smile as he looked at the Regent's companion.  She is as playful as the other one.

Katrina shook her head trying not to laugh.  "The poor thing."

"Oh, don't feel sorry for her.  After I take out this knot, Aggie is going to give her a bath," Arianna declared.

The minute Sasha heard the word 'bath' she began to shake and tried her best to extricate herself from her mistress's hands.  "No, you don't.  I am almost finished with this knot, Sasha.  There, got it out."

"I'll hand her over to Aggie," Carey offered.

"Thanks, Carey," Arianna replied.

Carey scooped Sasha up and carried her out of the room, the little dog whining all the way.

"How are you feeling, Arianna?"  Katrina inquired.

"Extremely tired, Grams.  I do not sleep well and…"  Arianna stopped herself from revealing what the lady had told her.  She was on the verge of getting it out, but she knew that she would only worry everyone else.

"And, what, my dear?"  Katrina asked, now curious why her granddaughter had paused.

"Nothing, just nervous over the birth," Arianna replied.

Katrina sensed that was not the case, but she did not press her granddaughter.  She took Arianna's hand in her own.  "You have a little less than a month left, my child.  There is no need to be nervous.  I know our methods for giving birth are a little different than in the other realm, but things will be all right."

Carey came in carrying a tray with tea and biscuits.  "Aggie was going to bring this in, but I told her I would do it since she is going to give Miss Sasha her bath.  She had everything ready and Sasha already wet when I left the kitchen."

Arianna sighed.  "I am sure she will be very upset afterwards, but I cannot have her walking around like a dirty mop."

Everyone laughed over the comment and after tea was served, the conversation drifted off to the baby. 

Carey noticed how jittery Arianna became while they were talking and she and Katrina shared uneasy glances.  "Yesterday, I was telling Ari about those portraits you mentioned, Grams.  You know, the ones of Felipe, Rebecca, and the rest of the family.  You said they were probably in the attic," Carey said excitedly. 

"Ahh, yes, the portraits that are in the attic," Katrina confirmed, then added, "There are so many of them."

"Why were they put in the attic, Grams?"  Arianna asked.

Katrina shrugged.  "I do not rightly know, Arianna.  All I know is that when Cassandra was preparing to live in the house, she had them all brought up to the attic, except for a family portrait of Rebecca, Felipe, and the children that I now have in my bedroom.  Then, when Cassandra moved into the main house instead, they remained in the attic."

"That is correct, my Regent.  I placed the portraits in the attic, myself," Siathis added

"I don't understand why she would do such a thing," Arianna stated absently, then looked up at Azzam and asked, "Could you go up in the attic and take one or two down for me?"

Azzam nodded, but when he started out of the room, Siathis stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"I was the one who put the portraits away for Cassandra.  I know exactly where they are and if you will allow me, I will go," Siathis asked.

"Oh, yes, thank you, Siathis," Arianna replied.

Siathis climbed the marble stairs then walked to the far end of the hall and opened up a pine door which led to the attic.  He took a candle that was lying on the shelf inside the doorway and lit it, then made his way up the stairs to the attic.  He roamed the many rooms until he came to one in the corner where he had placed the portraits so many years before.  He knew which one he wanted and began uncovering some of them until he located the right one.  His amber eyes almost glowed when they beheld the portrait he had been searching for and covering up the others, he made his way downstairs with the portrait.  He entered the parlor and propped it up against the wall, then carefully removed the brown cloth that was covering it.

"Oh, my, that is a lovely portrait of Rebecca holding one of her babies," Katrina commented excitedly.

Before Arianna could comment, Carey exclaimed, "Wow, with the exception of her hair and eye color, you two could be twins, Ari."

Arianna stared at the portrait of the woman she now knew she had been in that other life and a tear fell from her eye.  Rebecca was wearing a sea-green velvet gown, her hair had been left loose and hung in ringlets to her waist.  She was sitting on a midnight blue rug holding the baby in her arms while a large white wolf rested its head in her lap.  "I wonder who the baby is and if that is a Shifter with Rebecca?"

"I do not know which of her children she was holding when the portrait was painted, but the baby could not have been more than a few months old.  As for the wolf, I am not quite sure, my dear, but I had heard stories of a wolf pup that Felipe had given Rebecca.  Perhaps that is the one," Katrina offered.

"No, my Lady, it is not a Shifter, but the wolf pup that Felipe gave Rebecca a year before they were married and the baby she is holding is Baraka when he was three months old," Siathis supplied.

Sasha came bursting into the room, barking and making her presence known to everyone as she shook herself off, still slightly damp from her bath.  Aggie entered the parlor a second after Sasha, huffing and puffing.  "I am sorry, my Lady, but she would not stay a minute longer while I tried to towel dry her.

"That is all right, Aggie.  Thank you for bathing her."

"You are welcome, my Lady," Aggie shook her head as she walked out of the parlor.  Ahh, at least she is nice and clean.  His lordship will be happy about that.

Sasha jumped up on the sofa and stared at her mistress, still upset over her bath, but one look from Arianna and she jumped into her lap and settled herself.  "I'm sorry, Sasha, but you were dirty," Arianna offered as she caressed the top of her head. 

Sasha merely snorted and put her head against her mistress's belly, content to listen to the beating of her mistress's heart as well as that of the baby she carried.

Carey shook her head over Sasha's antics as she glanced over at Katrina, the two of them sharing a smile. 

Arianna turned her attention back to Siathis.  "I had completely forgotten that you were here when Rebecca was growing up," Arianna commented.

The wolf was Rebecca's friend and stayed by her side until the birth of her third child," Siathis added.

"What happened after the birth of her third child?" Carey asked.

Siathis looked down at the white marble floor, speckled with black flecks, apparently upset by the next bit of news.  "He was killed by renegade Guardians who thought the wolf was a Shifter.  Rebecca took her death very hard.  They were every bit as close as you and Sasha."

Arianna raised her eyes to look into his amber ones.  "Really?  As close as Sasha and I?"

Sasha, who had been licking her paw, picked up her head at the mention of her name.  She sat up and looked from her mistress to the object her mistress was staring at and when she saw the painting, she jumped out of Arianna's lap.  She carefully approached the portrait and after staring at it for a few seconds, she suddenly got down on her belly and let out a loud howl. 

Everyone stared at Sasha and the portrait. 

"Yes, my Lady.  I believe you will find many passages in Rebecca's journals concerning her friend," Siathis replied.

Rebecca shook her head sadly.  "I have not been able to find Rebecca's journals."

"I am sure when the time is right you can go exploring and the journals will be found," Siathis said.

He bowed his head and when he walked out of the room, Azzam followed him, catching up to him in the hall.  "You know more than you are letting on, my brother?"

"Do I?"  Siathis challenged.

"Yes," Azzam countered.

"It is not my place to reveal all that I know.  When the Regent finds the journals she will understand," Siathis replied firmly before he walked to the front door and let himself out.

Azzam took a deep breath.  He was not at all happy with Siathis at the moment.  What else have you not revealed, my brother?  I am worried for my Regent.  Something is not right.

It had begun to rain hard and Arianna insisted that her grandmother and Carey remain until it abated. 

Arianna walked over to the portrait to take a good look at it close up and she suddenly put her hand on her belly.  "Oh my, Goddess, what was that?"  Arianna exclaimed. 

Katrina and Carey both got up and went to her. 

"What's wrong, Ari?"  Carey demanded.

"What is it, my child?"  Katrina asked nervously. 

Arianna began to reply when she suddenly gripped Carey's arm and began to slide to the floor.  "Noooooo, the pain is too sharp," she screamed.

Sasha had been sitting in front of the portrait and when she heard her mistress scream, she ran over to her and began pawing at her hand. 

Carey's face turned white.  "Oh my gosh, I think she's in labor."

"That cannot be, she is not due for almost a month," Katrina said, her lips trembling.

"Azzam…Azzam," Carey yelled.

Azzam had been in the kitchen speaking to Aggie when he heard Carey and ran into the parlor with Aggie trailing behind him.  He took in the situation and immediately lifted the Regent up and started to carry her out of the room.  "I will take the Regent to her bedroom.  Someone must go to the Command Center and get his Lordship immediately."

"I will go with Siathis," Carey called out as she ran to the front door.

Katrina followed Azzam up the stairs and turned to Aggie.  "Aggie, please get one of the Guardians to go for Derek and Nafrè.  We will need them both here." 

"Yes, of course," Aggie replied as she hurried out the back door to alert Drakon.

Sasha scampered up the stairs after her mistress intent on finding out what was wrong.

Drakon wasted no time in sending a message to the main house for Nafrè, but had to send Urshè out to one of the nearby villages to retrieve Derek as he was attending an ill child and there was no way to get a message to him otherwise.

Carey had gone flying out the front door a few minutes before and caught Siathis by the arm.  "We have to go to the Command Center now."

"It is raining heavily, Carey.  What is it that cannot wait?"  Siathis asked, confused.

"Ari has gone into labor," Carey said shakily.

Siathis' amber eyes grew wide.  "Come, let us hurry, then," Siathis replied firmly, clearly taking charge of the situation.

Once in her bed, Arianna began shaking so badly that Azzam took a heavy blanket from the closet and placed it over her, trying to make her as comfortable as he possibly could.  He was anxious over her condition and it showed in the way in his cobalt blue eyes grew darker with apprehension.  He immediately took note of Sasha when she jumped on the bed.  He could practically feel the little dog's anxiety over her mistress.

Sasha slowly approached her mistress and settled herself near her hand reaching out to lick her finger, wanting to show her mistress she was there for her.

Katrina sat on the bed and held her granddaughter's hands.  "Relax, my child.  Try to relax until Derek gets here."  She could not understand why her granddaughter had gone into labor prematurely.  She was not overdoing it.  I do not understand this one bit.

Arianna could not stop shaking and her teeth began to chatter as she tried to speak, but her words made no sense.  "She said the baby would come early.  She said….she…"  Her words turned quickly to cries as the next agonizing pain swept through her body.  A few moments later she felt liquid trickling down her legs and knew she had broken her water.  Please, my Lady, keep my baby safe…please. 

Katrina glanced at Azzam who was just as worried as she.  "Who said the baby would come early?  What are you talking about, my child?"

Azzam began to clench and unclench his fists at his sides feeling utterly helpless.  My Lady Isis, I ask that you watch over the life of the Regent and that of her unborn child.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Regent’s Sacrifice – Chapter 3