The young woman sat outside of the Lady's Rest, watching the sun begin to sink behind the trees. Anyone could see that she was very close to term in her pregnancy, perhaps even any day. She smiled and rested her hands on her swollen stomach, and tried to enjoy the somewhat warm day. There would not be many more before winter hit. Several others sat casually on the benches around her. The knight Arinathos kept a ready hand close to his sword and shield. The drow stood in the shadows, watching every movement and change of lighting. The large barbaric man with an axe, known as Richard watched her intently, a gentle look of affection in his eyes. The mage known as Shamas thumbed through a spell book discreetly, and occasionally stole a glance over at the noble dressed pregnant lady. His true feelings would unfortunately never leave his own mind, so set she was on the one known as Martin. He would never cause her discomfort over this. After all, he had his books. . . But Martin was no where to be found. Not for several previous months. Although she tried to remain brave, those closest to her knew the fear and doubts that tugged at her heart in regards to his return.
A few others stood near the edges of the inn, and even around the church. To the casual onlooker, they would have seen the typical troupe of outlanders populating the outskirts, but to the observant eye, they would notice how each person seemed strategically placed to defend an attack. . . . not on the inn or the church, but on the single woman alone. Yes, they were protecting her. From what? Only a few of them even truly knew, but they all stood fiercely anyways, determined that the growing child inside her would have a proper chance at life. As the last rays of light began to fade, Shamas and Richard both began to move closer to where she sat, and she smiled endearingly to them, speaking before they had a chance to chide her.
"Yes, we should all go inside. It wont do to be out after dark." She smiled playfully. "It really wouldnt be fair to the werewolves, no?" A few chuckled, a few rolled their eyes, irritated at her light heartedness in the dismal times, but they followed inside anyways, a few walking ahead to check each door for traps before the expecting woman crossed the threshholds. As they stepped inside, she breathed in sharply, grabbed Richards arm suddenly, and almost doubled over. All around her, swords and shields were suddenly prepared, hands raised in preparation to cast, and swift arrows ready to strike an unseen foe. Richard attempted to steady her, and as the contraction passed, she was finally able to whisper a single word out. "Time."
The group stood in shock for a long moment, and finally someone ventured to say, "But it's not time for two weeks at least! Your mistaken!"
At this, the redhead stood up straight and glared. "I said, tiiii.....oooowwww!" The last word was never finished as another wave of pain washed over her. Spurred into action at this, they finally rushed her upstairs and started to go into the first room. "NO! Not that one! Any room but that room!" She yelled, so they quickly moved on to the second, rather then argue with her. The drow woman rushed her inside, and the troupe of paladins and warriors started to follow. The drow held up a hand sharply. "Nau! Nau men inside, and I mean it! You'll only be in the way!" As they started to argue, a loud scream pierced their ear drums.
"Having a baby here people!! Could you shut the feck up and let me concentrate?!" With that, the drow shoved them out of the doorway into the hallway with surprising brute force, and slammed the door shut with an audible click of the lock. She muttered in drow as she turned back to attend the half-elf. "Men are so useless."
