Grim

  "What is it Grim?" Alger asks concerned.

  "The Emperor has granted the petition demanding Lisa be brought to Tornian for the Joining Ceremony. We are to appear in three days." Grim hands the transmission to him as he walks over to stare at the Raptor. Lisa saw him like this, as the defender of Luda but how is he going to defend her and their girls now?

  "He can't do this!" Alger exclaims.

  "He has no choice. We both know that Alger. He's given me all the time as he can to secure my joining with Lisa. Now he must enforce the law."

  "But there is no law for this, she isn't Tornian. She is no different than the Empress." Grim raises an eyebrow.

  "Empress Kim was not considered Tornian when Wray traveled with her to Tornian. There were several attempts made to steal her before they arrived."

  "Who would dare...he is the Emperor."

  "It matters not, they are dead, and once they arrived he proclaimed her Empress. That gave her the protection of Tornian Law. Because of this, it was decided that any female acquired by the Searcher would immediately be declared Tornian, so she would be protected from being taken as I have done.”

  “The Queen and her offspring are considered Tornian?” Alger gives him a considering look.

  “Yes, now we need to prepare.” Grim wonders how he’s going to tell his Lisa.

  “Sire, there is no way we can be there in three days.” Alger’s thoughts begin to fly. The Queen has been injured and he doesn’t know if she will be able to use the repair units, if she couldn’t, she will be presented to the Assembly battered and bruised, and no excuse will be accepted.

  “The Emperor has ordered it so.” Grim tells him.

  “Of course my King, but no Tornian female, would be prepared for travel in such a short amount of time. She must prepare, pack be reassured.” Alger’s look lets Grim know he realizes Lisa doesn’t require any of these things. “Also for one as valuable as the Queen and her offspring there is the greatest need for protection. You would be lax in your duties, as the Queen’s protector, not to request an Imperial escort to come to Luda, guaranteeing the females safe arrival. The Emperor would certainly understand after what happened with the Empress.” Grim raises an eyebrow to his Captain, a smile flickering across his lips.

  “You make a very good point Alger but what does this gain us?”

  “For right now sire, time. It will take several days for the Emperor to mobilize the escort, then three days to get to Luda. That gives the Queen and your offspring time to fully recover from today’s events and for us to plan how to make sure we keep them.”

  “We Alger?”

  “Yes sire, neither Guard will surrender their Queen, not even to the Emperor.”

  “You feel you can speak for not only my Guard but the Queen’s?”

  “On this matter my King, yes. She is our Queen. She and your offspring belong with you.”

  Hadar frowns at the final reading he’s getting from his scanner. Up until know they have all been in the normal range, letting him know that no permanent damage has been done to the King’s female, but this last deep scan…it indicates she is with offspring.

  “Is there something wrong Hadar?” Lisa sits back on the couch, watching him study the screen.

  “I’m not sure.” He looks at her suspiciously.

  “What do you mean?” Lisa demands.

  “It seems you are with offspring.” He waits for her reaction.

  “Yes.” She nods.

  “You know!” Hadar can’t hide his shock. His volume and tone has Risley stepping into the room.

  “Is everything alright my Queen?” He gives Hadar a hard look, he doesn’t care who it is, no one upsets his Queen.

  “Everything’s fine Risley, Hadar is just expressing his thoughts. Thank you for your concern.”

  “You are sure my Queen?” He’s hesitant to leave.

  “Yes. Thank you Risley. Would you mind partially closing the door on your way out? I don’t want to disturb the girls.”

  “My Queen?” He gives her a concerned look.

  “Not all the way, just enough so our voices don’t carry.”

  “Of course my Queen.” With a slight bow, he returns to his post, closing the door halfway.

  “Why are you so shocked Hadar?" Lisa turns back to him. "Isn’t that the purpose of Tornian joinings? To create offspring?” Lisa isn't sure why she's being so bitchy to the Healer. He hasn't said anything but his attitude rubs her wrong. Like she's some bug to be observed.

  “I…yes…but..." He stutters.

  "But what?" She demands.

  "The King has said nothing."

  "That's because he doesn't know."

  "What!” Harder exclaims catching himself to not attract Risley again.

  "I said, I haven't told Grim yet.” She says speaking as if he’s a slow child.

  "Why?" Hadar gives her a hard look wondering what she is up too, females can be conniving.

  "Because I only realized it yesterday and needed time to adjust."

  "The King must be informed." Hadar demands.

  "And he will be, by me!" Lisa informs him, her look telling him she expects him to follow her order.

  "It is my place to report your condition to the King." Hadar states.

  "No Hadar it is not!" Lisa's eyes go hard. "It is your place to inform him I will suffer no ill effects from today’s events. It is my place to tell my King that he is going to be a father."

  "There are preparations that must be made..." Hadar begins to argue.

  "I've had two children Hadar. I think I know what needs done?"

  "But you've never had a Tornian baby."

  "No, but I know my body, nothing I'm experiencing is abnormal."

  "What have you been experiencing?" Hadar's finds himself asking, his curiosity getting the better of him. Tornian females are very secretive about what happens to them when they conceive.

  "Fatigue, I had it with both girls."

  "Carried?" He looks at her confused.

  "Was pregnant with?" She holds her arms out, indicating an enlarged stomach. Hadar nods understanding.

  "Anyway it should only last for the first three months then go away."

  "What treatments did you receive?" He demands.

  "Treatments?" Now it’s Lisa’s turn to look confused.

  "Yes, Tornian females, once they conceive, seclude themselves in the female’s level. They receive many hours of treatments that enable them to endure what is to come."

  "Endure what is to come…” Lisa frowns. “What are you talking about?"

  "As the offspring grows within the female.” He imitates her swollen stomach. "The female becomes very frail, frightened, the slightest irritation throws her into a sobbing fit. Many cannot stop until they become sick. It is not good for the offspring. She becomes unable to move by the sixth moon and must remain in bed. Then there is the presentation."

  "Presentation?" Lisa isn't sure she wants to know.

  "Yes." He gives her a confused look. "The presentation of the offspring...you’ve done it twice."

  "By presentation I assume you mean give birth. Having the baby...offspring born...come out of my body."

  "Yes, it is extremely painful for the female." He tells her tentatively.

  "Well it's no walk in the park but it's not as drastic as your making it out to be." Hadar gives her a considering look. "Why must they stay in bed? How big are Tornian babies when they are born?"

  "They would be quite large for you, up to ten to eleven corzites that would be pounds in Earth terms."

  “The baby is eleven corzites at six months!”

  “No, at the presentation, the offspring will put on most of its size in the eighth moon.”

  “Then why do they stay in bed?” Hadar looks at her confused.

  “They find it more comfortable having all their needs tended too.”

  “Seems to me they have that anyway.” She mutters. “Look Hadar, I’m not a Tornian female, so don’t insul
t me by thinking I’m going to act like one. Carly was nine corzites and Miki nine and a half. I didn’t go into seclusion when I conceived and I most certainly didn’t stay in bed. Earth females can have ten to eleven corzites babies, it’s not easy, but it can be done. Our bodies adapt.”

  “You didn’t go into seclusion?” He can’t hide his shock. “You allowed yourself to be…seen….when you were swollen?” He can’t hide his shock.

  “When I’m with offspring, yes, why wouldn’t I? It is a natural thing.”

  “Our females do not like to be looked at by males when they are swollen, it decreases their desirability.”

  “I guess that’s a matter of opinion. Mark loved it when I was pregnant with Carly. He enjoyed watching the changes in my body, to feel his daughter kick.”

  “Kick?” He asks her questioningly.

  “Yes, babies kick in the womb.” She frowns at him. “You are a Healer right? How can you not know that babies kick?”

  “Tornian females are very secretive with the process. A male, even a Healer is rarely allowed access to her, not until she presents.”

  “She stays alone?” Lisa can’t hide her shock.

  “No, she will notify an older female, sometimes the one that presented her, to stay with and assist her. The male gives tribute to the female.”

  “Tribute…you mean he pays her?” Lisa can’t hide her shock.

  “Yes.”

  “So you really have no idea about babies…offspring.” She gives him a considering look.

  “I have presented several offspring.” Hadar responds offended.

  “But before that.”

  “Unless the female requests me, I am not allowed near her.” He acknowledges.

  “What about her male?”

  “Her male isn’t allowed near her until after the presentation and it may be even longer if the female feels the presentation was too difficult. She may decide on another male so her next presentation may be less painful.”

  “You can’t be serious!” Lisa can’t control her rage. “What a selfish bunches of bitches your females are!” She surges off the couch, ignoring the pain the sudden movement causes.

  “You are upset…why?” He’s shocked to realize she truly is.

  “Upset…you think?” Furious eyes meet his. “Your females have taken what is the most beautiful act in the universe, the birth of a child and excluded one of the most important people, the father. He has every right to be involved in the birth of his child.”

  “Your male…he was there when your offspring were presented?” Hadar can’t hide his astonishment.

  “He cut the cord on each of them.” She can’t help but smile at the memory. Mark had been terrified both times.

  Hadar watches her trying to understand what she is telling him. Cut the cord…could she mean the lifeline? That which connects the offspring to its mother? Her male severed this? He was allowed in the room?

  “Of course he was.” Hadar realizes he’s spoken aloud. “After cutting the cord, Mark was the first person to hold our child, it was his right. I had the joy of carrying them. He deserved to be the first to hold them.”

  “I…” Hadar doesn’t know what to say. This is not the Tornian way, but it resonates within him, this…this is the way the Goddess meant it to be. Clearing his throat, he looks at the female that has just changed his universe.

  “The King must be informed.” He repeats but more softly this time.

  “I agree.” Lisa tilts her head, grimacing at her forgotten injuries. “But not today.” She doesn’t let him interrupt. “And not by you. Grim already blames himself for Luuken’s attack. How do think he’ll react if he finds out I’m with offspring?”

  “But…”

  “I will not do that to him. I will not allow what should be a joyous moment to be marred by what Luuken has done.”

  “He will eventually know.” Hadar informs her.

  “Yes.”

  “You seem….concerned, about the King’s feelings.” He watches her closely trying to understand.

  “Of course, he is mine to protect.” Hadar snorts at the thought of this small female protecting the King. “You know Hadar, I’m done. Done with you and done with this day. I’m sore, I’m tired, and I’m going to bed. You will go to Grim and report that I am bumped and bruised but otherwise fine.” She looks him squarely in the eye making sure he understands. “If you tell him anything else, I will make sure you never get near me or my offspring again.”

  “I am the King’s Healer.” Hadar argues.

  “You won’t be the Queen’s. Do you understand me Hadar?” Spinning away, she finds she has to grip the back of a chair, as the world suddenly starts to dim.

  “Majesty!” Hadar is quickly at her side, supporting her weight. “Risley!” He shouts for her Guard, who immediately rushes to her side.

  “What have you done?” He demands.

  “He’s done nothing.” Lisa denies weakly, as she steadies herself, Hadar can’t believe she is defending him, she doesn’t even like him.

  “What in the name of the Goddess is going on?” Grim demands, storming into the room to find a male on either side of his Lisa. Hearing Grim’s tone Lisa immediately knows what he’s thinking.

  “No Grim, they’re not attacking, they’re helping me.” Both males cautiously look to the King and what they see freezes them. He is beyond enraged.

  “Move away from my Queen.” Grim’s eyes are deadly as he advances. Lisa reaches out and he carefully pulls her into his arms. Risley immediately steps away his head bowed but Hadar waits until she is fully in the King arms.

  “Step away Hadar!”

  “My pardons Majesty.” He too backs away.

  “Grim.” Lisa can feel the rage vibrating through him. “They were helping.” She tries to calm him. “I stood up to fast and felt faint, Hadar called for Risley’s assistance. They were helping me when you came in.” She stresses.

  “You fainted?” Grim looks from her pale face to Hadar.

  “She became weak my King, it’s to be expected…” Hadar looks at the female in the King’s arms and realizes he can’t go against her wishes. “Her body has been severely stressed, she needs rest, lots of rest,” He stresses. “But she will make a full recovery.”

  “You are sure.” Grim demands.

  “Yes sire.”

  Bending Grim sweeps Lisa up into his arms. “Leave. I will care for the Queen.” He orders, not waiting to see if it’s followed, he moves to their bed.

  Slowly opening her eyes Lisa sees Luda’s sun is just beginning to rise. It’s been a long, nightmare filled night, but with each one, Grim had been there, holding her, comforting her, wiping away her tears. He’d been her rock but he isn’t beside her now.

  “No.” Lisa searches for his voice, finding him on the far side of their chamber wearing only his sleeping pants, talking on his comm. “He receives no healing. Hadar may treat for infection but nothing else. He can suffer.”

  “Yes sire.” She hears Alger’s faint reply.

  “Has Focke given you anymore information?” Grim demands.

  “Yes sire, a great deal. Lord Bertos was fully aware of Luuken’s plans for the Queen, as was Focke. Focke was promise the Etruria Region on Tornian for his support.”

  “Impossible!” Grim exclaims in disbelief. “Only the Emperor can grant that.”

  “Yes sire…sire…” Alger hesitates.

  “What is it Alger.”

  “The Queen…how is she…all the warriors are concerned…” Grim’s eyes turn to her and widen seeing she’s awake and listening.

  “Tell them…” Grim finds he has to clear his suddenly tight throat. “Tell them that she is resting comfortably and will make a complete recovery.”

  “Give them my thanks.” Lisa encourages softly.

  “The Queen also wishes to make sure they know that they have our gratitude for everything they’ve done.” Grim moves towards her.

  “Yes sire, I will let the
m know. And the matter of the Emperor?”

  “We’ll deal with it once we hear his response.”

  “Yes my King.” Dropping the comm on the couch, Grim moves to sits on the bed next to her, gently tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear before leaning down to gently kiss her newly healed lips.

  “You should still be resting.” He softly reprimands.

  “So should you, you didn’t get much rest last night, caring for me.”

  “I will always care for you my Lisa.”

  “I know.” Sitting up, she wraps him in her arms. “I love you Grim.” She whispers. “And I really am going to be fine.”

  "I failed you." He looks at her with anguished filled eyes.

  "You did no such thing!" Lisa is shocked and angry. "How can you even say that? I'm here, now because of you!"

  “Korin stopped Farber, not me.” Grim can barely get the words past his lips and Lisa realizes it is eating away at him, that if not for Korin she would have been raped.

  “And he is one of yours Grim.” She cups his face with loving but firm hands, forcing him to listen to her. “He wouldn’t have won.” She whispers, fearful at the thought. “You know that. Luuken never would have allowed it. I am safe and whole because of you Grim. You stopped Luuken and Farber, protecting the girls and me. Nothing's happened that can’t be healed.”

  “You still believe…”

  “Always! I’ll always believe in you Grim.”

  Grim finds his hands shaking as they run reverently down her back pulling her close. He nearly lost her. Lost her… “Oh Goddess Lisa…” His voice breaks as his head drops to her shoulder.

  She holds her strong warrior as he cries for what’s happened to her, for what he hadn’t been able to prevent. Later, when he raises his head, its Lisa's turn to wipe away the tears on her strong warrior's cheeks.

  “It’s okay Grim…I’m here. I love you and I'm not going anywhere.” She'd meant her words to reassure him but instead he stiffens. "Grim? What's wrong?"

  This isn’t how Grim had meant to tell her. He’d meant to keep it from her for as long as possible, like Luuken’s landing…and that had turned out so well hadn’t it. He looks into his Lisa’s eyes…his Queen’s eyes and realizes she has absolute faith in him, even now. Faith in his love, faith that he will protect her, faith that together they can defeat anything and who is he to argue with the Queen.