“Twins!” The theas around us crowed in joy, crooning to the babes.

Reness moved closer, and I looked to her. “Can you tie off the cords, Reness? I must finish here.”

Reness drew her dagger again, her face as bright as the blade. “I am honored, Warprize.”

I turned my attention to Eace, and worked to make sure that I cleaned her out well, before I started to stitch her closed. I tried to be careful, with small stitches, but I was fighting time and her bleeding. Amyu remained by Eace’s head, stroking her forehead, and stared at me with wide eyes.

The babes were off behind me, being cleaned and checked over. But theas remained with me, helping to keep the site clear of blood, dealing with the mess. No wonder she had such a problem, the babes were so large, and Eace a small thing. I concentrated on my work, mindful that my patient was a warrior, and would want to leap to her feet at the first moment of awareness.

Which gave me an idea. Once I had the birthsack closed off, I gestured to my satchel. “I’ve bloodmoss in there, wrapped in blue cloth. Could someone—”

“I know it.” One of the theas reached within, and held it out for me. I gave him a surprised look. He shrugged. “I was given some by one of Keir’s warriors.”

I checked first, to see that the birthsack was properly positioned, that the muscles had eased back into position. Then I pulled the skin together and applied the bloodmoss.

Sure enough, it started to seal the cut, leaving an angry red line in its place. I had to be careful, I didn’t want the herb to seal the layers together. But the bloodmoss did its work, turned color and then pulled clean away from the wound. I took a step back, and drew in a deep breath of relief. Eace was still unconscious, but her breathing had eased. I placed my hand on her chest to find her heart beating steadily.

“She’s ... ?” Amyu looked at me.

I smiled, tired and sweating and feeling so very good. “She’s well, so far. Only time will tell.”

The theas moved in then, with water and cloths, cleaning the unconscious girl, and removing the soiled bedding, making her more comfortable. One offered me a bucket of water, soap, and a scrubbing cloth. I plunged my hands in gratefully, and started scrubbing. I had to chuckle when I saw the state of my tunic. Anna the cook had often claimed that I didn’t own a piece of clothing that didn’t have blood on it at one time or another. She was right.

I glanced over at my patient, proud and satisfied. Two lives saved, by my skill and the will of the Goddess. One still hung in the balance, but only time would tell if Eace would survive. Tears of joy sprang to my eyes, and I focused back on my scrubbing, not sure that any around would understand my tears. Thank you, Lady of the Moon and Stars. Thank you.

I scrubbed harder, blinking my eyes clear. I’d have to send Eln word that I’d used bloodmoss for this procedure. Although, knowing my old master, he’d probably already tried it.

Reness approached, bearing a clean tunic. She offered it to me. I glanced around the tent, but everyone was focused on Eace, so I turned my back on her, and quickly changed.

I turned back, to see that she was looking at me oddly. “So it is true what they say, about those of Xy.”

I laughed. “Yes. Which is why I haven’t had a decent bath since I got here.”

“Bath?” Reness asked, puzzled. “But the lake—”

Eace stirred at that moment, looking around, dazed and confused. Amyu was beside her, crying and smiling. Eace blinked up at her. “What happened? Where is my babe?”

I looked about expecting someone to bring forth her babes. But I realized that the babes were gone.

“Where is my baby?” Eace cried out plaintively, struggling weakly to sit up.

The theas, male and female, all gathered around the table, hands reaching out to soothe her. Reness stepped over, to place her hand on Eace’s forehead. “There were two babes, Eace. Two tattoos for your arm. You have done well.”

“Two? Two?” Eace struggled even as they pressed her to stay down. “Where are they?”

“In the arms of the Tribe,” one of the others offered, in a soft voice.

“B—but I want—” Eace started weeping, and my own throat closed. Why didn’t they bring the babes back to her?

Suddenly, all of the male theas bowed low to Eace, low enough to show the backs of their necks, and left the tent. Reness stood tall at her side, and placed her fingers over the crying woman’s lips. “We are the life-givers. Life-bearers of the Plains.”

“This is our burden. This is our pain.” The others crowded around as they intoned the words, their voices soft and low. I doubted that they could be heard outside the tent. Reness looked over at me, and gestured me to step closer. I took a step, and arms reached out to pull me within the press of bodies. Eace was surrounded on all sides, being touched and stroked by every woman around the table.

“The Tribe has grown. The Tribe has flourished,” Reness chanted. Eace was still weeping, her eyes closed, but she’d stopped crying out.

“This is our burden, this is our pain.”

“Our babes are taken. Our arms are empty.” Reness’s voice was a whisper. Eace stared up into her eyes.

I bit my lip, wanting desperately to go get the babies and place them in her arms. But it was clear that this was part of their world and their tradition. Eace’s sorrow was deep, and reflected in the eyes of every woman around us.

“This is our burden, this is our pain.” The other women were hugging each other, arms on each other’s shoulders, forming a circle around Eace. I was included, wrapped in the press of their bodies.

Eace was nodding her acceptance now, although her pain was still there, raw and ugly. She whispered along with Reness, “This is the price of our freedom.”

The tent was silent, then Reness leaned forward, placing a kiss of Eace’s forehead. “You have served the Tribe well, child. Bare your arm, and receive your tattoos.” She stood, smiling. “Then we will dance, yes?”

The women around us cried out in joy. Some were bringing out new supplies, and calling the men back in to the tent.

Eace frowned then shifted on the table, putting her hand on her flaccid stomach. “I thought you were going to cut the babes free? How do I live?”

Amyu spoke. “I brought the Xyian healer.”

Eace’s eyes widened. “Did she bring me back from the snows?”

“No.” I wasn’t going to let that rumor start. “I used my skills to cut the babes out, Eace. You will be well, although it will take time to heal. Sleep is the best thing.”

Eace just looked at me in astonishment. The theas started moving then, and Reness pulled me back, out of their way as they prepared to tattoo Eace’s arm. She gestured for Amyu, who moved over by us reluctantly.

“She will heal?” Reness asked me, and at my nod, pressed further. “Will she bear again?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. That is in the hands of the elements.”

“Her milk will come?”

“It should.” I bit my lip. “Will she feed her own babes?”

Reness shook her head in response, gathering up my satchel to put it in my hands. “No. She’ll nurse others.”

“And what happens if she can’t bear more?” I asked, curious. “I know that you require five before—”

Reness’s eyes flickered to Amyu for a moment, and I followed her look to see that Amyu was in the process of putting on her tunic. She froze under our gaze, but all I could see was her left arm. Her bare left arm. No tattoos.

No children. Amyu had no children. My eyes met hers, and I saw another kind of pain in their depths.

Reness frowned. “You must return to your tent, before your absence is discovered. Go now.”

Startled, I protested. “Eace must be watched for signs of—”

“We will do that.” Reness threw my cloak over my shoulders. Amyu was pulling on her tunic.

“But...” I didn’t want to leave my patient without aid. “You could have a warrior-priest check—”