Crag (18 page)

The first day was incredibly long and difficult, since the village had little organization. Though
Phillipos
was looked upon as the leader, he’d been greatly disheartened by the destruction and lack of resources before the storm. Other than one or two elderly women who practiced herbal remedies mixed with superstitious rituals, there wasn’t a trained healer in the village. Many were hurt and ill, keeping Crag, Starr, and Lily working nonstop. The other trainees were just as busy organizing the repairs.

It was well after dusk on the first night when Lily retired to the lean-to she shared with Crag. Tired from the work as well as the changes in her body, she fell asleep almost immediately, awakening only when Crag finally joined her.

“How late is it?” she murmured.

“It’ll be dawn in an hour or two,” came his sleepy reply. He crawled beneath the blankets and pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. “Are you sure you don’t regret coming?”

“I want to be with you, and I’m glad I can help – even if it does benefit that fool
Phillipos
.”

She felt him smile against her hair. “He’ll get used to the changes. So will the others. It’s not easy thinking positively when you’ve been subjected to constant hardship. I learned that the hard way.”

“You’re such a good man, Crag.” She turned and stroked his face in the darkness. “You’re going to be a wonderful father.”

“I hope so, when the time comes.”

“In about seven months.”

He fell silent for a moment, and she waited, her heartbeat quickening with apprehension.

“Crag? Are you happy?”

“Happy isn’t a strong enough word.” His arm tightened around her. “I love you so much, Lily… I… Are you crazy coming out here when you’re having a baby! This place is—”

“Where we need to be. You and I together. That’s the agreement we made. As you said, I’m a midwife now. I’ll go where I’m needed, and right now we’re needed here.”

“It’s so strange, but some of the worst events of my life brought me the best thing I ever could have hoped for.” He kissed her, and she clung to him. His soft lips and rough beard moved down her neck. He freed her breasts from her shift. When his warm, moist mouth closed over one of her nipples and his hand kneaded her other breast, Lily clutched his head, arching against him.

His tongue flicked then laved her nipple. He used the very tip to circle the sensitive peak before moving to the other. Crag’s fingers explored her pussy, gently stroking, pushing deeper, gathering wetness. He used his moist finger to circle her clit then ever so gently rub the ultra-sensitive side of it.

Lily felt her body heat and her heartbeat quicken.

“Crag,” she whispered, clutching him harder, “Oh, Crag!”

His beard tickled her belly as he kissed the gently rounded flesh. His fingers caressed the soft skin along the joining of her thighs and hips while his mouth covered her clit. As he lapped and stroked, two of his fingers slipped inside her and his other hand caressed her buttocks. He squeezed the firm globes then slipped a finger between them, pressing and stroking the soft flesh in a manner she loved.

Lily's belly clenched as he continued his relentless ministrations until she dissolved in ripples of intense pleasure. She writhed and her hands
spasmed
in his hair. He didn’t stop licking, sucking, and stroking until she lay, spent, beneath him. The perfect moment was disturbed by rustling outside the tent.

“Crag!”
Lot
called. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I need help in the infirmary.”

“I’ll be right there.” He offered Lily an apologetic shrug before giving her thigh a final kiss and left the warmth of a bed in which he’d rested for too short a time.

Lily sighed, trying not to feel disappointed. Then she thought of how Crag must also feel. She didn’t envy her husband’s job, but she was proud of him. There were far fewer pregnant women requiring her care at the settlement than there were sick and injured for him. Still, they would have other moments in what she hoped would be a long life together.

Wrapping herself in the blankets, Lily closed her eyes and thought
Goodnight, Crag. I love you.

* * * * *

Like the time spent in
Tanek
, the days and nights were filled with hard work, particularly for Crag, since he was the Knight of the highest rank stationed with a handful of trainees. Lily noted how well he handled his responsibilities, never succumbing to the despondency that had plagued him throughout his training. Like her, he’d learned to appreciate periods of happiness and relaxation while realizing the importance of his duty during difficult times.

Though he’d forsaken the use of weapons, Lily considered Crag one of the strongest men she knew. His power exceeded the limitations of those who simply wielded a sword, and she wasn’t the only one who sensed it. Over the months they spent in the village, the people had grown to like the quiet, gentle Knight who cared for them through sickness and injury and worked tirelessly to rebuild their village. The trainees also worked to the best of their ability, building homes, gathering food, and teaching the able bodied youths to defend during troubled times in the future. Crag tempered his firm guidance with understanding. Once, several months into their stay at Marin Point, Starr mentioned abandoning his training.

“It’s impossible here,” Lily heard the young trainee say to Crag as they stood outside the infirmary. “I can’t even get a single night’s sleep, and many of these villagers are so ungrateful. They look at me like I’m useless because I’m a trainee.”

“Do you feel useless?”

Starr sighed, and even from where she listened by the door, Lily felt his despair. “Sometimes I do. There’s so much I don’t know.”

“So much to learn,” Crag said. “Training isn’t easy, but you knew that when you joined the Order. I do understand how you feel, and I promise what you do isn’t useless. The ability to heal isn’t just curing disease or setting bones. It’s offering comfort and letting people feel they can depend on you.”

“Sometimes I feel I can’t even depend on myself. When that happens, who should I depend on?”

“I know you will always be able to depend on yourself, but I’m here for you and the others. Always.”

“I know.” Starr sighed. “I don’t mean to complain.”

“Get some fresh air. I’ll stay here until you get back.”

“But you’ve been in the infirmary since last night.”

“Just go and center yourself. Someday I might come to you and ask the same favor in return.”

Starr walked away, paused and glanced over his shoulder. “I want to be a credit to the Order, Sir.”

“You will be. I believe in you. Why else do you think I requested you for this assignment?”

Starr’s eyes widened a bit. “I didn’t know that. Thank you, Sir.”

Lily smiled to herself. Crag had been allowed to handpick his trainees, and she knew he’d always felt a particular liking for Starr. The young man was serious, careful, and a quick learner. In many ways, he reminded her of Crag. The youth may have moments of self-doubt, but Lily sensed he would make a fine Knight.

“You’re good,” she said as Crag stepped into the infirmary. He raised an eyebrow. “You know what I mean, Crag.”

“Starr's right, though.
Phillipos
’ complaining hasn’t made our task here any easier. Many are skeptical of us. I’m used to it, but it’s a little harder on the trainees.”

“They’ll make it, just like you did. And if anyone can turn this village around, it’s you.”

Though it took time, Lily’s prediction came true. Even
Phillipos
eventually thawed toward Crag and the others, particularly when he saw the Knights making good on their promise of complete restoration. Lily made many friends in the village. Ironically, her closest female companion became
Phillipos
’ wife,
Zea
.

The women spent much time in each other’s company, and
Zea
helped Lily make clothes for her baby. Lily often wondered how such a pleasant woman had gotten saddled with an arrogant, ungrateful man like
Phillipos
. Though she had to admit, the man hadn’t said much to Crag or the others since he’d seen their determination to rebuild the village was not in vain.

One evening while Crag and Lily sat by the fire outside the infirmary,
Phillipos
approached with a loaf of nut bread his wife had made.

“Looks good.” Lily gazed at the loaf. At this stage in her pregnancy, she was ready to eat just about anything. “Tell
Zea
thank you.”

“I’ve always been a skeptical man,”
Phillipos
began. “It’s my nature, but I try to be honest, as well. I was wrong about you and Crag.”

Lily glanced at the man with surprise. They’d been stationed in the village so long, she’d thought
Phillipos
was too stubborn to ever show any gratitude. She looked to Crag who simply held
Phillipos
’ gaze, unwavering.

“You’ve done much for this village – things I never expected for us even before the storm. I still don’t understand your refusal to defend yourself with a blade, but you’re a strong fighter and have trained our people well. At first I didn’t think you were much of a Knight, but I was wrong. Thank you for all you’ve done.”

“You’re welcome.”

Phillipos
nodded and headed back to his family’s home.

“Never thought I’d hear him talk like that,” Lily said, breaking off a chunk of the nut bread and chewing. “This is delicious. Want some?”

Crag shook his head. “Enjoy it.”

Lily did, and it wasn’t until several hours later that she began regretting it.

She nudged Crag awake.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, rubbing a hand across his sleepy eyes.

“I don’t feel well. I think that bread made me sick.”

He sat up immediately. In spite of all his experience as a healer, the fast approaching birth of their child had him a bit on edge. At times he seemed to watch her as if she was a volcano waiting to spout its top. “Are you sure it’s the bread?”

“Sure I’m sure,” she sounded annoyed as the cramps in her stomach spread to her back. “Don’t you think I would know if it’s…”

“What?” He lit a lantern and she met his wide blue eyes, offering a weak smile.

“It’s not the bread. My water broke.”

Lily, though thrilled she’d finally meet the child she carried, didn’t look forward to the hours to come as she remembered how painful
Vina’s
birth had been. Over the past months, she’d helped several woman deliver babies and had tried not to think of her own approaching confinement.

This child’s entrance to the world came as a pleasant surprise. The labor took only a few hours, without any hard pain until just before the birth. Crag remained with her throughout, leaving the trainees in charge of the village.
Zea
offered her assistance, and while Crag delivered the baby, she sat with Lily, talking to her and offering a hand to hold.

Almost before she realized, Lily heard the infant’s screeching, and she pushed herself onto her elbows, blinking damp hair from her eyes. She stared at the squirming baby in its father’s hands.

“What is it?” she panted.

“It’s a boy.” Crag smiled as he cleaned off the infant and brought him to Lily, placing him in her arms.

Lily stared at their son, unable to resist a happy laugh. She thought briefly of
Vina
and how much she’d missed having a child to care for. She prayed this baby’s life would be longer and happier than
Vina’s
had been.

“Congratulations. He’s beautiful.”
Zea
smiled. “What are you naming him?”

Lily and Crag exchanged glances, and he said, “It’s your choice. You did all the work.”

“I think we should name him after his father.”

Crag’s eyes shone, and
Zea
laughed. “I guess you’ll have to call them Crag One and Crag Two.”

Zea
held young Crag while his father delivered the afterbirth and made Lily clean and comfortable. After returning the infant to his mother’s arms,
Zea
left the hut, giving the family privacy.

“She’s right. He is beautiful.” Crag gazed at the boy before kissing Lily’s mouth and stroking random hairs from her forehead. “Thank you so much.”

“Thank you.” Lily smiled. “You’ve given me back a life I thought I’d lost forever, Crag.”

“You’ve given me one I never imagined possible. I love you, Lily.”

“I love you, too.”

He sat beside her, their son in his arms. She drifted to sleep watching them, knowing that to both of them, their child symbolized hope.

There would be difficult times ahead – like the months in
Tanek
– but also happiness. No matter what happened, they had known each other’s love and would carry it with them forever. To them, their affection would always be the greatest hope of all.

Somewhere in the
Chaston
Ocean

“Hold on!”
Torn’s
boots slipped on the wet deck of a Ruby Order warship tossed in the stormy waves. He clasped Rain’s hands tightly, their grips sliding as an enormous wave crashed overhead, nearly capsizing the sinking ship.