The Babe Arrives

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 13th March 2024
Series: The Assassin's Husband

Characters: Lusilk, Lorican
Description: Lusilk and Lorican's baby is born
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 12, day 10 of Turn 10
Notes: Follows "I Know What You Are" (http://www.triadweyrs.org/story.php?st_id=14269)

Lusilk

"Push!" The Healer's strained voice was taut as he encouraged Lusilk
to bear down; an apprentice mopped at a sweating face as Lusilk
gritted her teeth to growl out a strangled grunt of complaint,
refusing to cry out from the pain of the birthing. It had been over a
day of labouring and she was exhausted to the point of near
incoherence. She leaned back against Lorican's chest, panting softly
after the contraction, only to be seized once again as her body took
over in an effort to birth the child inside of her.

Lusilk felt a hand clutching hers and squeezed tight, reaching back
with her other hand to clutch at Lorican's shoulder to steady herself.
Fingernails dug in and she finally let out of cry of pain and release
as the healer suddenly smiled and a loud, angry wail pierced the air.
"It's a girl, Master Lorican.." The squirming infant was lifted, red
and smeared with birthing fluids, face screwed up and arms waving as
she cried.

His eyes and throat were gritty with lack of sleep, he'd lost all track
of time and the feeling in his fingers where his wife had been gripping
his hand - he wasn't sure how he was ever going to hold a hammer again -
but all that was forgotten when he heard that first cry. Lorican's eyes
went wide in awe. He felt Lusilk relaxing back against him, her head
resting on his shoulder as, dazed, he watched the healer cut the cord
and gently clean the infant.

"That's a fine, healthy set of lungs." One of the women attendants
smiled at him as she passed with a basin of water. "Don't you go
fainting on us now, Master!"

"I won't." Lorican shook his head. Then the healer was placing the
baby in her mother's arms, and he looked down at the tiny pink face, the
soft dark wisps of hair, the little nose and ears. "Lusilk...oh, she's
perfect."

As the healers began cleaning her, Lusilk looked at the babe now in
her arms, and completely relaxed against Lorican with a soft sigh of
satisfied exhaustion. "She is." She ran her fingers lightly over the
rounded cheeks and soft dusting of hair. "She's beautiful." She gently
patted the bare bottom of the infant and as the little girl turned her
head, little mouth instinctively searching, Lusilk's face was wreathed
in a gentle smile; it was an expression rarely seen on her face,
beatific and truly loving.

She hesitated only for a moment before baring herself to feed the
little girl. She hadn't wanted to nurse Silgan, not at first, but as
the child latched on, her concerns fled. She gave a soft chuckle as
the babe eagerly suckled, then turned her head to look at Lorican.
"Your daughter, Lorican. What shall we name her?"

"Oh - well..." Lorican had never had to name a child before, and the
thought that he was responsible for this tiny scrap of life struck him
suddenly as at once both wonderful and terrifying. He spoke tentatively.
"I'd been thinking that I would like to remember my mother in our baby's
name. She was called Daranne. She would have loved to have been here to
see her grandchild, I know." He paused. "Is there anyone you would..."
Then he cut himself off, wishing he hadn't spoken. The fragments he knew
of her past were surely best forgotten.

She was too tired and preoccupied with the baby to really take in what
he was saying. "No. My family is gone." Despite the exhaustion
apparent in her voice, there was now a glow on her cheeks and a subtle
sense of satisfaction in her bearing. She leaned against Lorican with
surprising contentment. "Carani? How about that?" Lusilk rested her
head lightly on his shoulder. "I'm so tired."

"You can rest now. I'm here, I'll take care of you." Lorican leaned
into her, his cheek against her hair. He lifted his hand and
wonderingly, let his fingers lightly brush his new daughter's skin.
She was warm to the touch and the softest thing he'd ever felt.
"Carani. Hello, Carani." He smiled as the baby continued to feed,
oblivious to his words. "You're so beautiful."

The baby suckled vigorously while Lusilk leaned against Lorican, her
eyes drooping from exhaustion. When the child was finished, she
lightly burped the little girl, then slowly handed her to Lorican.
"Here, hold her. She's yours."

He carefully took the newborn infant from her, supporting her head in
the crook of his arm. Her eyes were closing and the tiny, delicate
fingers curled as he lightly brushed a finger over her palm. She made a
soft, contented sound. Lorican felt an ache in his jaw and realised he'd
been grinning almost without stopping since he'd first seen her face. He
was vaguely aware that outside the birthing room, there were threats
that would have to be faced, but for now all he felt was an overwhelming
instinct to protect Carani and keep her safe - Carani, and her mother.

"Our daughter," he said softly. "Thank you... You're amazing. Both of you."

“Hm.” Lusilk sighed and gave a crooked smile. “She’s beautiful.” As he
examined their daughter, she murmured. “I’m so tired. I need to sleep.”

The healer finished and spoke gently. “Everything seems fine. There will
be some bleeding for about a week and she’ll need time to recover, but
the child and your wife did quite well, Master Lorican. I’ll let the
Headwoman know for the records.”

"Thank you." Lorican tore his gaze away from the baby long enough to
give the healer a grateful look. "Thank you so much, for everything.
Isn't she wonderful?"

The woman who'd been assisting returned with a soft blanket to wrap
around the newborn, an indulgent smile on her face. "She's a very lovely
baby, indeed, Master. I'll bring her cradle for whenever you're ready,"
she added, noticing how he stifled a yawn. "Both of you should get some
rest while you can. You'll need it."

"Thanks." He shifted so that Lusilk could lean against him, supported by
pillows, while he gazed at their daughter. "I can watch...for a little
longer..." He yawned again.

Lusilk was already sleeping against him, her expression one of
beatific and satisfied exhaustion.

Last updated on the March 14th 2024

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The Babe Arrives