Nuworld: Claiming Tara (26 page)

Tara caught
her
breath
and
exhaled
when the
pain
subsided.
“How do you feel?” He stroked her hair and looked way
too calm.
“Am I shot?”
Darius was talking into his mouthpiece. “Patha, I need
Dr. Digo sent to the house immediately.” He was silent for a
second before turning off the comm. “Where’s Reena?” he
asked her gently.
“She’s working on the quilts with the other ladies.”
Suddenly, Tara was confused. “Darius, I think I’m okay. I
guess I knocked the wind out of me.” She attempted to sit,
and a sudden pain flashed through her gut and down her
legs.
Darius eased her back down.
She grabbed his hand with both of hers and squeezed
harder than she’d ever squeezed before. The pain subsided
as she lay back down, and she eased her grip.
Darius’ face was expressionless. He tapped his comm
again. “Send someone to find Reena. I believe she is at one
of those quilting meetings.”
Tara felt another wave of pain, and Darius offered his
hand again, which she squeezed without mercy. She cried
out from the intensity of the pain, and watched Darius’
mouth move, but couldn’t quite make out his words.
“And I don’t want a trace of blood visible,” she thought
she heard him say, but another wave of pain hit her before
the last one completely ended.
It seemed like hours passed before Dr. Digo appeared.
Not long after, Reena arrived. Tara heard Hilda’s excited
voice although she didn’t see her. Whenever she opened
her eyes, it was Darius’ face she saw.
He watched her, his expression assuring her everything
would be all right. Her claim stroked her head with a damp
cloth, which felt better at that moment than she could have
imagined. Then she felt his cheek brush hers, as he placed
gentle kisses on her forehead. She focused on his touch, as
wave after wave of biting pain violated her body.
Tara tried turning her head to see the activity in the
room.
Everyone
around
her
seemed
surreal.
Reena
appeared to be bouncing from one side of the bed to the
other. Dr. Digo placed a needle in her arm, and everyone
suddenly seemed very far away.
Tara
heard everyone
talking
but
had a
hard
time
focusing on words. Her thoughts kept going inward. She
vaguely paid attention as her legs were lifted, her boots
removed and her feet placed on cold metal. She blindly
obeyed when Reena stood between her legs and instructed
her to push.

“Tara,” someone was speaking to her and there was cold
water dripping slowly down the side of her forehead. She
lifted her hand and brushed the water away. “Tara-girl,
open your eyes.”

She obeyed and this time the room was in better focus
than before.
“Say hello to your son, my lady.” Darius stood by the
bed holding a bundle of blankets.
Tara focused until she saw the baby in his arms. She
had done it. Tara sat so easily it made her dizzy. She
looked around the room at her exhausted audience. She
should feel as tired as they looked, but instead she was
exhilarated and overwhelmed with happiness.
“Where are my babies?” Her throat was too dry, and her
voice cracked.
Darius sat next to her and placed the bundle of blankets
in her arms. Hilda approached with another bundle. Tara
wrapped her arms around the two babies and looked down
into their squishy pink faces.
“We have a boy and a girl.” Darius ran his fingers
through her hair and lifted her face to his. “I must say, you
were quite impressive.” He leaned forward and kissed her
on her chapped lips.
She smiled when Darius gave her breathing room, then
glorified in her babies. “Hello there Andru and Ana,” she
whispered.
“Andru and Ana is it?” Darius smiled and nodded. “So
be it. Andru and Ana are perfect in health and stamina.
Both doctors agree. Our children shall rule the greatest
nations on Nuworld. I have no doubt they will do great
things.”
Tara didn’t need anyone to tell her it was true. She saw
it in her son and daughters beautiful faces. She wrapped
Andru’s tiny fingers around her index finger and watched
with curiosity as Ana’s fingers curled in the air, as if she
wanted a finger to hold, too.

Later that night, Darius crept into the dark room where
Tara lay, cradling her sleeping babies. She smiled as he
leaned down to kiss her.

“I wanted to wish you good night,” he whispered. “But I
fear I woke you instead.”
“I’ve been sleeping when they do, I guess. But I’m glad
you’re here.”
“You were wonderful birthing our children, my lady.”
And when he kissed her again, she smiled against his
mouth and returned the kiss until he backed away a few
inches to study her.
“I’m sorry about your brother,” she whispered.
His expression darkened. “I only have one brother, and
he knows nothing of my papa’s philosophies.”
“Darius?” She looked up anxiously as he turned to leave.
“Do you have any other children?”
“No.”
The door closed, and the room became completely dark
again.

with sweat.
“Can’t we take a break?” Torgo dropped to the ground.
“If I do one more push up, my arms will break.”
“Okay, a little break.” Tara laughed and fell to the
ground as well. Her muscles burned with exhaustion and it
felt so good. “You don’t know how happy I am to be back in
shape.”
“You look incredibly good, my lady.” Lord Darius walked
toward them and looked at his claim and brother lying on
the ground. “Duty calls, however, the twins are up from
their naps.”
Tara jumped to her feet and straightened her shirt. “I
guess we’ll continue your training later.”
Torgo tried hard not to sigh with relief. He had a hard
time keeping up with Tara. Fortunately, no guards were
around to see him continue to lie in the cool grass.
Tara hurried upstairs to greet her beautiful children.
Each had their own cradle and smiled at the sight of their
mama. She’d grown accustomed to picking them both up
and laying them at opposite ends of the table where their
diapers were. The two children would kick each other giggle
when she blew on their tummies, changed diapers, and
dressed them.
“I can’t believe how much you two are growing.” She
kissed fingers and toes. “You’re six cycles old today, did
you know that?”
“Oh, good, they’re awake now.” Hilda entered the
nursery with a bag in her hands. “I bought these while I
was in town this morning. They were such cute outfits I
couldn’t resist. Don’t you agree?”
The two outfits were made from a smooth, soft material.
One was a pair of overalls and the other a dress with straps
like the overalls. Hilda also produced a white blouse to go
with the dress and a white shirt for the overalls. The two
women struggled to get the lively children into their new
outfits then placed them on the floor.
Tara laughed
as Andru
tried
to
inspect
the
shiny
buttons on his sister’s outfit. Ana slapped at his hands for
his efforts, but at the same time tried fingering his buttons.
“I heard news in town this morning, you know—catching
up on the gossip so to speak.”
“Oh?”
Tara never appeared interested in any of the goings on of
the community, but Hilda was determined to teach her new
daughter the fine art of gossiping.
“Ah, yes, I did. I heard Patha is planning to head south
for a few cycles. It was Gertrude’s daughter who told me,
you know the baker’s claim? It was while I was showing off
these new outfits that she told me.”
Tara was less interested in the source of the gossip than
the news itself. “Patha is leaving? I just saw him the other
day, and he didn’t mention it. Do you know when?”
“Now that I don’t know, but here is the best part.” Hilda
lowered her voice as if someone might be listening. “I heard
that he asked Reena to go with him.”
“What did she say?”
“Well, I would think she would say no.” Hilda thought
the question absurd.
Tara picked up the babies and walked into the large
adjoining bedroom she now shared with Darius.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to say goodbye to my papa.” Tara pulled a
clean headscarf from her top dresser drawer.
“You’re taking the babies?”
“Can you tend them?”
Hilda shook her head. “I’m having tea with some of the
ladies over at Roga’s. You really should hire one of the girls
in town to be a nanny.” The old lady scurried off to prepare
for her outing.
Tara was left alone with her babies. She thought about
asking Torgo or Darius to go with her, but neither was to
be found when she loaded the babies into the back of the
groundmobile. It took some effort to remove the two plastic
sections that made up the roof of the groundmobile, but
Tara managed. Fresh air blew her hair off her neck when
she finally sat behind the large steering wheel.
“It will get you accustomed to riding on a bike when
you’re older.” She watched them look up at the endless
blue sky.
Andru and Ana’s blond curls fell around their creamy
white, pudgy faces. Their deep gray eyes, which were the
same color as their papa’s, took in everything and didn’t
miss a thing. Watching her children at times made Tara
feel as if she had double vision. Andru watched a bird fly
overhead, and so did Ana. One twin didn’t parrot the other.
Both twins moved as if controlled by one thought.
Tara saw how intelligent her children were. They were
beautiful and perfect in every way. Once they got older, and
came into their own personalities, she didn’t doubt they’d
quit being so identical. Until then, she allowed herself to
marvel in their unique behavior.
“Shall we go see the people you will one day rule?” Tara
tapped Ana’s nose.
If it were her call she would allow the twins to grow older
before deciding which would lead which nation. Darius had
laughed and tried getting her to admit that their son would
be the better ruler. He insisted his son had been born first
and was the rightful heir of Gothman. Reena had told her
Ana was born first, but then later insisted she didn’t
remember.
Tara was sure
regardless of
which of
her
children were the elder, Darius wouldn’t budge on his
decision that Andru would lead Gothman and Ana be heir
to all Runner clans.
Her children quit looking at the sky. They gave her their
attention and kicked their pudgy legs. Tara laughed at their
baby babble.
“Then let’s get going.” She double checked the straps
secured around them in the special infant sized seats
Darius had installed in the back seat of the groundmobile.
Then turning and facing the wheel, she accelerated and the
rumble of the motor drowned out the chatter.
“And we’re off,” She laughed and glanced over her
shoulder to see her babies laughing, too.
Her clan was definitely preparing to leave. Doors stood
open as trailer interiors were dismantled. Breakable items
were being boxed before being placed in compartments
under the trailer. It was summer and the best time to travel
to cooler land north of them that wouldn’t be passable
when it got close to the new winter.
Tara felt a pang of regret that she wasn’t going. It
surprised her. She’d been so busy with the babies and so
wrapped up with her love for Darius that it hadn’t dawned
on her until now how long she’d been in one place.
The clan would move around for the next four to five
cycles before settling in right before the new winter when
the weather turned bad. The alliance built with Gothman
enabled the Runners to leave some of their possessions on
the land, with Darius promising protection. Patha and
Darius agreed that the land just to the northwest of Bryton
would be Blood Circle clan property.
The
townsfolk
had grown
accustomed
to
Runners
entering their stores. It was a first for the clan to own land.
Times were changing in so many ways. Thinking about it
always gave her tingles of excitement. She forced herself to
feel cheerful as she waved to clan members and weaved
around trailers in the groundmobile.
“Hi, Syra.” Tara pulled up to Patha’s trailer and smiled
at her niece. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing.” Syra sounded sulky.
Tara was about to ask her what was wrong when Patha
and Balbo came around the other side of the trailer.
“I heard you were leaving.” Tara greeted her papa as she
reached for her children.
“In the morning.” The old man smiled and headed for his
grandbabies. “These babies will be walking by the time I get
back.”
Tara handed Andru to his grandpapa and held Ana in
her arms. “What’s wrong with Syra?”
“Believe it or not, she doesn’t want to go.” Balbo
shrugged his shoulders at his daughter’s behavior. “I don’t
understand her lately.”
“Why not let her stay with me? I need a nanny for the
children. I could pay her, and she could have her own
room. It would help her save money for her first bike. She’s
about ready for one, you know.”
Patha looked at Balbo, nodding his approval of the
suggestion.
“She’s growing up so fast.” Balbo
shook
his head.
“Nothing I do is right for her anymore. Are you sure she
would be a help with the babies?”
“I was caring for babies at her age if not younger.
Besides, Balbo, it might make it easier to find another wife.
Syra is quite the young lady, and another woman might
think she has competition with her around.”
“Another wife?” Balbo started coughing and his face
turned red. “I don’t need to leave my daughter behind to
find a wife. What stories are you hearing around the fires?”
“Nothing.” Tara didn’t remember when she had last sat
around a roaring fire and listened to the stories. “I really
need help with Andru and Ana.”
“Don’t try to argue with her, Balbo.” Patha laughed.
“Sounds like she has her mind made up.”
“Okay. I’ll speak to her. That is, if she’ll talk to me.” He
walked over to the sulking girl.
Tara watched her papa play with her son. “I’ll miss you.
You better stay in touch with me.”
“Don’t you long to travel, Tara-girl?”
“I hadn’t thought about it to be honest with you until I
entered the clan and saw everyone tearing down. The twins
and Darius keep me so busy.” Tara squinted from the sun
and looked around the clansite. Runners loaded bags onto
their bikes and locked down trailers. “Coming out here
does put the yearning into a person, though.”
Patha looked at her, but instead of saying anything he
moved closer when Andru reached for Ana. He stood next
to his daughter while his grandbabies wrapped their pudgy
fingers together and held hands. He didn’t know a lot about
twins but it seemed these two were exceptionally connected
to each other. Patha glanced at Tara.
As always, his
daughter was playing strong and trying not to show how
torn she was over decisions she’d made in her life.
She noticed the look of concern in Patha’s eyes. “Don’t
worry about me. I am happy. Really I am. I’ve found a good
man.”
“Good. You have an obligation here. The Runners have
never had land like this before, and a lot of that is due to
you, Tara-girl.”
“I know.” Tara knew the Runners were talking about her
being responsible for a pivotal turn in their history. Maybe
she didn’t join in on stories around the fires the way she
used
to.
She
did
make
time
to
read
communications
between clans on her landlink. She received more respect
from them due to the Lord of Gothman claiming her than
she did from the Gothman.
Balbo and Syra returned from the side of the trailer.
Tara noticed the young girl was all smiles.
“Can I really stay with you?” Syra looked from one twin
to the other, her smile growing.
“You can work for me.” Tara caught the girl’s eye. “You’ll
be in charge of the babies, and you’ll go to school. It won’t
be fun and games.”
Tara knew the teenager had had exposure to young
children. Tara realized Syra would be one of the few girls in
her class. Syra wouldn’t let anyone bully her. Still, she was
breaking the mold by attending school while Gothman girls
were discouraged from going. The Gothman believed their
girls learned what they needed to know by staying home
and helping their mamas. Tara had done her best to
encourage girls to attend, but it was a slow process.
Darius had approved Runners enrolling their children in
the
Gothman school. That
was a slow
process too,
encouraging Runners to take advantage of the Gothman
schools instead of home-schooling their children, as had
always been the custom.
“I won’t let you down.” Syra bolted away and ran toward
her and Balbo’s trailer. She yelled over her shoulder. “Just
let me get my things.”
Syra couldn’t believe her luck. She would see Torgo
every day. This sure beat spending the next several cycles
cooped up with her papa. Torgo would be a lot more fun.
He was so cute and so tall. Ever since they’d finished the
project of clearing rubble for the Gothman, all she did was
think about him. This change of events was too good to be
true.
“I’m ready.” Syra ran back to Tara who was still talking
to Patha and Balbo. She took Ana just to make sure Tara
knew she could do the work.
Tara handed the baby to Syra but didn’t pause in her
conversation. “Why are you going south instead of north?”
“The River people at the southern edge of Southland are
trying to form a new government, and I thought we would
start by going there,” Patha said. “I want to make sure they
know the Gothman and Runners have united. We’ll show
our respects to their new government and see if they’ll
welcome
our
union by letting
Runners enjoy their
community.”
“Honestly I thought you’d go north for milder weather,”
Tara admitted, watching as Syra struggled to strap Andru
and Ana back into their seats. “I guess the travels aren’t
about survival anymore.”
“They are, Tara-girl, but in a different way. Runners and
Gothman are building a new nation,” Patha explained.
“And to survive, we must make sure all of Nuworld knows.
Defeating the Sea People gave us strength. There are other
nations who need to acknowledge us.”
Tara knew there was oil in the ground down there. It
was thick in the ground just north of the border, then
continuing into Southland. Patha and Darius had probably
discussed this. Gothman had very little oil. Runners had
bartered with nations all over Nuworld for winters to secure
enough oil for their travels. Darius was aware of his lands
limits.
Securing
relations with the
River people
would
greatly help Runners and Gothman.
Syra had loaded the babies and her bags into the back
of the groundmobile. She sat in the passenger seat waiting
for Tara. Hugs were exchanged one last time, then Tara
and Syra headed back to town.
“I can’t believe it. The house is so big. Isn’t it weird how
all their houses are fixed into the ground?” Syra watched in
awe as Tara drove along the gravel driveway toward the
Bryton home.
“You get accustomed to it. Let’s get you settled first.”