Ema Valentin

The Ancient Way

So, where to even start with this one? Yes. I do remember. I will start with my way Down. In many stories, I tend to describe events that happened to other people, who were then so kind to share them with me, or stories long forgotten. In this case, I have the opportunity to grab my pen and tell you about the adventure I had many years ago.

It all started when my friend asked me for help. It wasn’t the first time she did it that year, and since her last request, I promised myself not to be surprised by anything. And yet, once again, she managed to catch me off guard.

My friend was pregnant. That is quite an event, because it always is. When a couple decides to go to Obes Tetras it’s always more than a happy occasion. And when one of them is able to carry the child, it’s even easier. But this whole situation was… kind of different. 

The thing is, and I knew that pretty well, she didn’t go to Obes Tetras. 

“What?” I remember myself saying, while looking up at her. I was almost sure I misread what she said.

“I am pregnant. And I think I am pregnant the Ancient way,” she repeated in the clearest way possible, almost as if she didn’t know if my question was the result of pure disbelief or simply me not understanding her.

“That’s not possible,” I muttered — maybe more to myself than to her.

“Well, tell that to the baby I am expecting,” she frowned back at me and I knew there was no reason to argue. She was the one pregnant. And I could understand why she was on the edge. Considering her situation, I was surprised how calm she still remained.

There was a time, before the War, in the Ancient times, where most of the Conceptions happened the ancient way. It was simple back then. Two people performed an act of physical love and a baby was created. Mother — usually — then carried it for nine months and gave birth. Many women had it like that, and yet many men were, apparently, still surprised to become a father. Or vice versa. That was a long time ago and nobody really remembered any case of Ancient Conception in WORIDII.

For the record, just to be clear, I was not the father. I knew him, but since he was out of the picture, I was the one to step in.

“Alright, so you’re expecting a baby. Shouldn’t you go to Obes Tetras anyway?” I proposed when she calmed down a bit, with a cup of herbal tea.

“I can’t. I don’t think they would support this, since the Conception wasn’t screened and handled properly so they may suggest to…” she didn’t finish and I didn’t want her to. There was no reason to stress her even more.

“I see. But… What about the birth? What if anything goes wrong?”

My crow sitting in the corner of the room must have made a loud noise, since my friend turned around fast and looked at her.

“That’s exactly why I need your help. I need you to go to Obes Tetras and gain some knowledge about it. The more, the better.”

I thought I misread her lips again, because what she just said seemed really crazy. But she remained urgent and serious.

“Darling, I am a Historian. How am I supposed to…”

“You’re a Historian, exactly. They will tell you.”

She clearly had no idea what being a Historian meant. It made me a bit mad, why would she ask me for something like that? I am, and always was, a man of words, not an adventurer. Not for a long time.

“They will not.”

“Why?” she crossed her arms, and I, knowing her for so long, knew that I had already lost this argument.

“They never share their knowledge just like that. I would have to try to sneak in, and you know far too well that I…” I looked at her, but deep down, I knew that she had no other friend to turn to, and I couldn’t leave her just like that. When she looked at me and I saw tears in her eyes, I knew there was no way I wasn’t helping her.

“Fine. I will do that for you. Or — I promise I will try my best. I wanted to head Up anyway.” I looked away, while she stood up, reached me and hugged me. I remember her shaking and I am pretty sure she was saying something.

It was decided. I was to march Up to get to Obes Tetras. Of course, I could try to get to their local center, but that was a bit small for me to get in. Everyone must know each other there and… they knew me. I could probably just go to another one, but the problem would be pretty similar. I needed to be quick, and I needed to hide — and that was only possible in one place.

The obvious solution was to go Up to the mountains in the middle of WORIDII, where their headquarters was. It was quite the walk, but it wasn’t the first time, and it wasn’t the longest journey I would ever make.

So, the next pospi, I took my things, sat Esha on her perch on my backpack, hugged my friend — while she was still thanking me and sobbing — and went Up.

I am deaf, or to be specific, I can’t hear almost anything. I do manage to hear loud sounds and I can also sense vibrations pretty well. I also managed to learn lipreading pretty fast, which saved my life, but that is, perhaps, a story for another day.

Because I can’t hear, I carry my crow with me and she is my ears, my companion, my friend, but most importantly — my alarm.

So we walked Up. It was a long and uneventful journey, on which we had to avoid a few forbidden areas. That is always unpleasant and long, but I’d already had my experiences with Ancient technology, so I didn’t try my luck.

We managed to hitch a ride with a few Aristocrats, so in no time, we were at the sight of the Nursery, the Obes Tetras headquarters. It stands at the foot of the Meadow Peak, an old, but not Ancient building, built probably around the end of the War. Nobody is sure what the history of this building is, and Obes Tetras aren’t really the most forthcoming group of people.

The history of the Blossom is clear, though. The first mention of their existence was written down by the end of the War. They were formed by the medics who worked for the Three Branches to answer humanity’s call for help. The horrible and indescribable horrors of the War had left the human genome almost infertile, and without their help, our kind would go extinct.

When I stood there, looking at the old walls of the facility, I couldn’t help but smirk, when I remembered my friend, who, against all odds, managed to conceive even without their help. But then again, her situation was rather unique.

The autumn cold was even worse there in the mountains, and I felt it inside my bones. I decided to march faster, to get to the nearby town before the sun went down and the cold became even more unbearable. There was no time to think about the greatness of the architecture when my nose was freezing.

It was indeed something called a Town. It was neither a Settlement, nor a Manor. I knew it when I was entering, but it still amazed me. This place was run by Obes Tetras, which I remember learning about in my early years at the Academy, but even if I didn’t know, the sign at the gate would tell me. Their logo, a thin-sided square connecting four dots, each of them representing one of their fields of expertise:

Obstetrics, surgery, psychology and pharmacology.

The spi was falling quickly, so I decided not to spend too much time admiring the architecture and found a way to the only inn in Town. And probably in the whole region.

I am used to people staring at me for multiple reasons. The major one is that I walk around with a crow on my backpack. That tends to bring attention. Another reason may be that not many Historians travel around. Actually, I am pretty sure I am the only one who travels around. People notice and they whisper. I don’t mind gossip. After all, why should I be bothered by something I can’t hear?

That concluded the longest but also the easiest part of my plan. To get to the place of interest. As I sat down and ordered food, I realized I had no idea what to do next.

Actually, no. I had an idea. A really vague idea, more like a thought — or rather, a fragment of a thought. I knew for sure I could not enter by the main entrance, because they wouldn’t let me just come in without a proper reason. If I had any problem, they would be more than eager to help me, but I was there because of labor. Even if I managed to lie properly about being a future father, parents always have to register. And even if I told them that I was just curious about labour and potential problems, they would simply tell me that in case of any complications, they would be there. It was a part of their policy. Since they were always there to save the day, there was no need to scare potential parents with details.

The issue was, those were the details I needed to know.

This was far from easy. I planned to dress up as one of Obes Tetras nurses and get inside like that. Of course, saying that and doing it were two different things. Even if I got inside how I planned, I still had no idea where to even start. I had no idea how their Blossom worked, and I was pretty sure no one would just serve me that information on a silver plate.

But I didn’t come this far just to sit in a inn and pity myself. I overcame bigger obstacles than unknown buildings and a few Obes Tetras.

So the very next morning I went into the Town and around it to get familiar with the surroundings and terrain. It was my first time doing something like that. Believe it or not, even an unorthodox Historian like me doesn’t do secret missions like this very often and I didn’t want to get into problems by simply not knowing where things are. 

I learnt three things. First, the Nursery was surrounded by a stone wall. Not a high one, but it was there, and it would certainly become an issue if I had to run. I wasn’t sure in which scenario I would have to do that, but I like my exit routes planned in advance.

Second, there were pouring groups of students inside and outside of the building. That was exactly what I anticipated and needed, since I was younger back then and I could just pretend to be one of them. With this number of them, surely they couldn’t know who exactly belongs there, and their entrance system couldn’t be that complicated.

After all, there was really no reason to break in, at least for most people.

Last but not least, I found out that they outsource washing clothes, and that they outsource it in the Town. In the morning, a cart filled with dirty laundry passed through the main — and only — street and went down to the very end of the Town. That’s where the washing house and my ticket to the Nursery was.

I don’t like stealing, and I never stole anything, so I would like to emphasize that all the clothes I borrowed for this mission had been returned.

After thorough thinking, I decided that I was, indeed, on a mission. I really liked how the word sounded. It made me feel like a hero of some sort, someone from the ancient stories I read in the Library while studying.

Except now, I was the hero, and my damsel in distress was surely distressed, but calling her mine would probably make one man really angry.

Anyway, I borrowed — in a way that I’d rather not disclose — the clothes, spent another night at the inn, and decided to try my luck getting inside the Nursery the next day.

The clothes fit perfectly, but I felt like they didn’t suit me. Maybe it was the sky blue color, or the typical hat Obes Tetras wear, but I had this inner feeling that anyone looking at me had to notice that I was an impostor immediately. Despite this, I carefully put Esha into the inside pocket of the coat, which was a part of the uniform, and breathed in. I recall it as one of the most stressful moments of my life.

No matter the outcome, I had to try it. If they caught me, I don’t think they would have done anything extremely bad, but I hoped for a better outcome.

I left the inn by the backdoor and stepped onto the street. I tried my best to look confident, but it was hard, considering the fact that my ears were hidden in my coat. But I knew where I was heading, and I thought I had a plan — and right there and then, it was enough. Walking up the main street, I joined one of the bigger groups of students, that were obviously there to get something for breakfast. I saw some of them eating some rolls as they were chatting and walking to the Nursery.

I was pretty sure they were talking, since I heard loud laughter from time to time, but I couldn’t see their lips, and I just hoped nobody would try to talk to me. I stuck by the end of the group and just marched with them, still watching my surroundings carefully. I watched the backs of the students in front of me and just waited to get there. I hoped that Esha would stay silent.

I considered going without her, but to be honest, I didn’t want to risk it. I could get in some kind of a situation where having ears would be crucial and… I never go anywhere without her.

It turned out she was great at sneaking in, and — apparently — so was I. There really were no patrols, because why would there be? When I passed the gate into the Nursery, I got so excited I almost wanted to shout with joy.

I could not, so I did not.

I followed the group inside. The interior of the building looked exactly the way I always imagined it would. The same kind but somehow not personal kind of paint and furniture I knew from my local Obes Tetras institutions. White wall, beige chairs, plants kept in pots.

It always surprises me. Flowers in pots. I grew up around plants and nature, and seeing this, I felt like that couldn’t be good for those poor flowers. Anyway, I wasn’t there to save flowers — even though at that moment I was really considering changing my mission goal.

Focus. Labor details.

I had no idea where I should start searching, so I did the most logical thing that came to my mind. I followed the group deeper into the complex and just hoped there would be no problems.

How boring life would be without problems, eh?

We got to the entrance to some room, when I realized that I forgot to count the turns — now I like to say that it was because I was young and didn’t think things through, but I think it was probably because I am just like that. I tend to forget the logical steps I planned. Yes, I was really amazed by the fact that I got into Nursery that I was behaving more like a kid who just found a new toy, rather than an adult on a mission. No, I don’t think that now I would have been much wiser.

The second problem was that there was someone at the door I was about to enter. An older person, holding something that I soon found out was a list.

An attendance list.

I panicked, I did. There was no way I could get inside without being uncovered, and for a moment, I felt like leaving would have been an even worse thing to do, but I was at the end of the group. I stepped back, carefully squeezing Esha, so she wouldn’t make a sound.

Thankfully, she remained silent as I backed from there, disappearing behind the corner, and — as I assumed at that moment — unnoticed. From that moment on, I was on my own. Well, not really, since Esha was with me, but I couldn’t really ask her for help. I took a deep breath and stepped into the corridor that unfolded before me.

I tried to look confident. I think that one can walk anywhere if they seem confident enough, and I decided to follow that rule there. Believe me or not — even though, if you don’t believe me, why are you still here — it worked. I even met a few people. No one seemed to notice.

I still had no idea where I was heading. Now, submerged into my mission, I was fully concentrated and aware of my surroundings. I counted turns, I counted doors, I let my mind connect all those information into some form of a map.

I soon realized that I was where I started — quite literally. The corridor connected into a square or a rectangle. I couldn’t tell if the sides were the same length. There were also two staircases, in the opposite corners of the building — each heading upstairs and downstairs.

I really wanted to head upstairs. I don’t enjoy basements or any sort of underground spaces, so I wish I could just tell you that I headed upstairs and found what I wanted up there, without even thinking about going down. I wasn’t that lucky, since there was an arrow pointing downstairs with a clear message.

ARCHIVES. If there was any other case of Ancient conceptions, they would have had records of it in there. Probably also a way of handling it.

I hate cellars. I know I already said that, but I can’t stress it enough. If you told me to pick between a face-off with a Screecher and a trip to the basement, I would thank you and pick the first option. Patronettes protect me, I thought I was going to die when I realized I needed to go down there.

I could hear static. That usually happens when I get into some kind of a stressy situation. Note that at that moment, I was still only looking at the stairs.

“Alright, you can do this,” I said to myself as I took a deep breath and grasped onto the banister. “It’s no big deal, come on.”

Unfortunately, it was a big deal. For me, at least. But hey, I couldn’t just turn around. I was already inside, I was so close, and my friend was counting on me, so… No chickening out.

I took one step down. Carefully, with respect, I moved forward and deeper into the building.

I was so grateful I had Esha with me. The idea of me doing this alone was probably the only thing worse than the event itself. Step by step, I continued downstairs, and it felt like descending to the core of WORIDII itself. It took an eternity to get there, or at least, it felt that way.

The basement was dark and felt wet. Looking back, I am sure there must have been a switch somewhere to light the room, but back then, I couldn’t really think straight. There were dozens of boxes and cabinets, all towering above me, as if they were laughing at my cowardice.

I had a purpose. I could not back out from this, not when I already got so far. Besides, what is life about, if not about defeating your inner demons? 

“I can do this,” I muttered to myself, but I am pretty sure it didn’t sound convincing at all.

“I can do this,” I repeated and took a deep breath. There is this trick my friend taught me, a trick that I use whenever I am panicking. It consists of me finding one thing to touch, one thing to smell, one thing to taste, and one thing to see. Usually, people have to find one thing to hear, but that isn’t my case, obviously.

I touched the fabric of my disguise.

I took a deep breath and smelled the wet air of the basement.

I focused my eyes on a small window in the far wall of the room.

With a shaking palm, I had found dried seeds for Esha in my inner pocket.

It worked. A bit. At least I didn’t feel like I was about to die and join all the people of ancient times who died in the War.

“Fine, alright, okay, sure,” I uttered and swallowed the rest of my fear.

It was at that moment that I reached into my bag and took out my glass with Lumeetle cocoon and also let Esha out from under my coat. I was raised as a Jarni, and my bond with animals was always strong. There was nothing more important to me than to keep the animals I carried with me safe and happy.

As I mentioned before, I know now that there had to be some source of light in that room. It just didn’t come to me at that moment.

I can’t think straight in places like that one.

With the cocoon lighting my way, I went deeper into the unknown. In the dim light, I somehow managed to recognize and avoid all the crates and boxes that were down there. I remember breathing in the moisture, but I quite honestly don’t remember much from that room. I would like to describe to you in great detail what the Archives of Obes Tetras look like, but I have no idea, even though I was there. And there is no need for me to lie or make things up.

Similarly, I just can’t describe to you what I was doing. I moved forward — that’s everything I am sure of. I moved around the room, looking around for any sign of what I came for.

If I was to be completely honest again, I don’t think I even remembered what it was at that point.

Esha, sitting on my shoulder, made her little dance, and I froze. I couldn’t hear it, but it was her signal to let me know that there was someone else.

I panicked and turned around, expecting Patronettes know what — probably a monster, considering my mental state at that point — but when I did that, I clearly saw a person, marching towards me through the room.

It took me a few moments, but I recognized that person. Not that I knew her, no, but I saw her before. It was the girl who led the group of medics before. She was there, looking at me and speaking. I raised my hand with light so I could see what she was saying. I only caught what I assumed was the second half of a sentence, but I didn’t have to know the rest to understand what was going on.

“...what do you think you’re doing here, huh?!”

I opened my mouth and then closed it again, only to smile at her and raise my eyebrows and shoulders. Yes, I know. Not the wittiest thing to do at that moment, but did I mention I was in the BASEMENT?

She looked at me, I looked at her, and she raised her eyebrow too, but didn’t smile back.

Damn, I thought to myself. She turned around, made a few steps towards the nearest wall, flipped the switch and turned the lights on.

I have never, ever felt so stupid in my life.

She walked back to me, stabbing me with her big, dark eyes, and I knew she saw right through me.

“You’re not a medic,” she proclaimed and even though I didn’t hear her, I knew that she said that in the coldest way she could. With the lights on, the room felt a bit friendlier, but I still wasn’t in my best shape.

“I am?” I responded, but yes, not my best lie.

“I do know all the deaf medics here and you are not one of them. Who are you?” she stepped even closer. To be fair, it was a pretty girl, but I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that she wasn’t very friendly.

Alright, lying is not an option, I thought and braced myself. Sometimes, being honest is the way. “I am a Historian.”

“What’s your name?” she didn’t move a muscle. There wasn’t a slightest sign of a surprise or any emotion whatsoever. She was scary. I remember thinking to myself, aren’t Obes Tetras supposed to be kind and nice?

“I… don’t use one.”

Now that surprised her a bit. Actually, surprise would be a bit of an overstatement, it more like, mildly interested her. “That’s dumb. Everyone has a name.”

I couldn’t stress less about the situation and she asked me this?

“I have a name,” I raised my head a bit and managed to metaphorically stab her back. “I just don’t use it.”

That was enough to throw her off her high ground for at least a moment. She seemed a bit confused, but not for long.

As it turned out, my new acquaintance was the kind of person who defended herself with an attack.

“Whatever. What are you doing here?” straight to the point. Of course. She probably noticed I tried to avoid that question by opening the debate about my name and decided not to let me.

“I am on a mission,” I started carefully. There was no reason to tell her everything at first.

I wasn’t lying, per say. I just wasn’t telling the whole truth.

She didn’t respond. She didn’t pursue me any more, she just stared directly into my soul. I was only to learn that she was pretty good at asking questions without even speaking. It was an unpleasant and long stare — I am pretty sure she didn’t even blink. It was obvious that my answer wasn’t enough.

“Look, I am just trying to get some information, nothing really that important…”

“I can scream,” she spoke to me calmly and it didn’t take me any time to realize that it was, in fact, a threat. What I told her still wasn’t enough.

“Don’t,” I responded immediately and raised my hands, as if I could actually do something if she decided otherwise.

She smirked, but didn’t say anything.

I was cornered. She got me and I stared at her for some time.

“My friend is pregnant,” I looked her in the eyes and whispered, but she clearly didn’t get how important that information was.

“I can and I will scream,” she smirked again and — I swear to Patronettes — I was so irritated by her arrogance, I felt like punching something. Not her, obviously, but a wall, yes.

“No, listen to me. My friend got pregnant. The Ancient way.”

There was a series of expressions I could see on her face, moments after that statement. First, there was surprise. Then something I would call disbelief, and the last one was very judgmental — I could see where that was coming from.

“That’s rubbish,” she muttered.

“That’s the truth. Why would I lie to you? You can scream,” I must have smirked, because for a brief moment, I felt like the bigger person in a room. Figuratively, of course. In the literal way, when it came to this situation, my new companion was shorter than me.

“Dumbass,” she hissed back at me. “Why didn’t you go to your local Obes Tetras?”

“Because it’s complicated. Generally. I just need some information about the labor and…”

“Yeah, because it’s that easy,” she frowned at me. “Giving birth is complicated and risky, especially… like what the hell?!”

She was pissed. I took a step back. Before I managed to speak up, she continued.

“That’s… unheard of. We didn’t have anyome conceive in the Ancient way for… well, probably since the War. Do you have any idea how important that is? She needs to come forward and…”

“No,” I stated and frowned right back at her. “I told you, no. It’s her decision. It’s complicated. No.”

“It could be dangerous, you idiot!” somehow I knew she raised her voice.

“It’s her choice.”

“But you’re the father. Try to be a bit…”

I raised both my hands in a gesture calling for peace. “I… am not.”

It took me one look to understand that she didn’t trust me a bit.

“Look, I am really not. I am her friend, a close friend. The father is… out of the picture,” I lowered my voice. It was not up to me to explain anything to her.

Her expression softened, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. “Oh,” she looked at me, “then, that’s…”

“I just need the info about labor,” I looked at her, trying to get her on my side.

“No. No. No. That can’t be. She needs proper care. Also, nobody knows how a labor like this could go and…” she stopped, and I could see how her face lightened up — like a kid who just got a present.

Quite frankly, I didn’t like it.

“She needs help, and I can’t miss an opportunity like this…” she turned around after that, probably continuing to speak. When she turned back to me and I could see her lips moving again, I read “What do you say about that?”

I looked at her, raised my eyebrow and my hand, pointing to my ear. “I can’t hear, remember?”

The girl looked at me, and for a moment, I could see her being honestly embarrassed, which was kind of nice, because that meant she had at least some morals.

“I suggest I go and help with your little problem. I get to see it, she gets her help. There is no way you can help her give birth without training or experience, and — no offense — without hearing.”

I stared at her, and even though I didn’t like it, she was right.

“Uhm, I mean… I don’t know you. And we don’t live around here…”

“My name is Suzanna,” she responded without hesitation and I knew I got what I came for. She was ready to do it. She wanted to help. “I can get wherever I want. In two months, I will be done with my studies, and then I can go and help you and your friend.”

It was rather nice of her, but even her smile couldn’t hide the fact that she was not doing it because of her kind heart. She was clearly intrigued by the pregnancy and wanted to be the one around. Anyway, that wasn’t really an issue, I got help and that counted. “Alright,” I nodded. “That is great. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Suzanna smirked a bit and I decided not to open another debate about how she was not in this selflessly. I actually needed her help, so no arguing. Even though that girl just asked for an argument, and I knew she was not gonna go easy on me.

“When is she due?” she asked, and I shrugged my shoulders.

“We don’t really know, but we think…”

“Patronettes. I will get there as soon as possible. But I will need a map. I assume you can provide me with that, since you’re a Historian.” There was so much disrespect in her face. Damned Suzanna.

“I can,” I shook my head and decided not to explain her the difference between a cartographer and a historian.

There was not much adventure left. Suzanna got me out of that place unnoticed, and promised to come around and help. I didn’t have much more than her promise when I was returning back to my friend. I knew I did what I could, but still, this creeping feeling was taking over my mind. What if she fooled me? What if she changed her mind and decided to tell on us or just decided not to trust me and never actually appear? She didn’t have many reasons to trust me.

I wasn’t scared for myself. I didn’t mind her telling them that I was there, after all, my reputation wasn’t clean and untouched even back then. But my friend… I had a responsibility, and I was, more or less, returning with my hands empty.

I sat my friend down and explained to her thoroughly how things went. She seemed to understand the situation way more than I expected.

Also, it was already visible that she was expecting.

“So, this Suzanna…” my friend started carefully. “Will she come?”

“She will. She has all the reasons to do so,” I think I held back describing her, a lot. I didn’t have high opinions about that girl, but she was my friend’s only hope, and there was no reason to make her feel worse about Suzanna. I decided to keep my antipathy towards her to myself and pray that she will actually show up.

We waited. I spent most of that year around my friend, just to make sure we keep her little secret to ourselves as long as possible. I stayed at her place, helped her with the work, and covered for her. Of course, people noticed her change in behavior, but with me around, we always managed to play the "I guess we should not party that hard" card. That was enough to prevent further questions… Yes, we had a history of doing that.

Then one day, Suzanna arrived. I remember feeling relieved and seriously mad at the same time, just from the simple fact of seeing her. I was happy she came to help, but I really didn’t like her stupid smirking face.

Alright, I know, I am a historian and I should not get my emotions involved while describing events, but you gotta understand — Suzanna and I were not a match made in heaven.

She was like a different person while talking to my friend, however. A professional, I can’t take that away from her. She was gentle and soft, careful and caring, while checking on my friend, asking her questions about the baby, how she was feeling, and so on. I must admit she was great around her and helped her more than I ever could.

The baby seemed to be just fine which made all of us extremely relieved. I am pretty sure Suzanna tried to convince my friend to go to Obes Tetras directly, but she was adamant.

All we had to do was wait. In the last three months of the pregnancy, my friend almost didn’t leave her house. It’s normal for us that at that point, the mother of the baby, whether it is a surrogate mother or one of the couple, is in the safety of the Obes Tetras ward, where she is monitored and taken care of. Suzanna did her best — oh how I hate to say that — to simulate such conditions there. She was in charge of food, warmth and even water that was given to my friend. I was really happy she took her job seriously and I honestly didn’t even mind her bossing me around. I was doing it for my friend and I would gladly do it again.

The real issue was the due date. Normally, with all the devices Obes Tetras use, they can predict the day of birth exactly. Here, we had to wait and just guess and hope. Even though Suzanna insisted that everything should be alright, I noticed that she wasn’t gravely sure about that.

That was probably the reason she insisted on me being there when it happened. I don’t want to describe it, but… I never really imagined childbirth to be like this. I remember her screams, I heard them. Very loud noises… that’s why I heard them.

But it went alright. It was a long, long night. It took hours, and during that, I helped as much as I could. There is no need to describe it further, except…

I vividly remember when the baby was born. I stood in the corner of the room, waiting to be called for if needed, when Suzanna carefully held the baby in her arms. I could not see clearly from where I was, but I could see her freeze.

My friend, exhausted and tired, leaned on her elbows to see her crying baby, and then she breathed out and muttered something which I read as "Oh, patronetess, of course." Then she pressed the metal pendant that meant so much to her to her chest and closed her eyes.

I took a few steps towards them and Suzanna turned to me, with the baby in her arms. I saw the baby and then I saw the honest surprise in the nurse’s eyes. She looked at me and I knew she understood, and I also knew that I would owe her for the rest of my life.

“Alright,” Suzanna looked at the mother and then at me. “I think you should explain a thing or two to me.”