Rebellion and New Life

Chapter 18

Whenever Chamberlain went to the Scientist for his exams every few days, he always made sure that none of the other Skeksis were around. Tek made sure too. This was just between them. If another Skeksis did come into the lab and saw they were together, they just made out they were talking of improving ways of getting the essence in a better way, when it was nothing of the sort. Or made something else up, like Sil was just getting a health checkup.

The Scientist was responsible for all Skeksis health checkups after all. Though it did seem suspicious of why Sil was getting all these health checkups again, and quite often.

One day, while Sil was having his weekly exam, his robes were pulled up and Tek was just examining his belly, feeling the child's movements. Sil winced.

"Finish, please!" Sil begged, holding his breath.

"Almost done." Tek replied. He finally let go of Sil's skin.

Sil let out a good breath of air. "Not have to press down every time." he said, rubbing his belly.

"I must to feel the child, Chamberlain. It's the only way to feel if it's still viable." Tek stated.

"I can say child is viable. Feel it move myself." Sil snapped.

"Yes, but when you tell the Emperor of it, you might need additional proof, until it comes." Tek declared. "Just when are you going to tell him?"

"My decision. I decide, not you. I still hold promise of what I do if you tell." Sil warned him. "And just how long do you think baby has before comes?" He still had a hand on his belly.

"From feeling it just now, and from the size of your belly, it shouldn't be long." Tek said. "But when it gets ready, you should know that you'll be in for a world of pain." he warned Sil. "No stopping it."

Chamberlain hated pain. He had already felt cramps going on lately. His practice contractions. If his child was born now, it would be premature, but might stand a chance, if he knew what to do.

"Any other advice on know what to do after birth?" Sil asked.

"I can only tell on what I've seen from other creatures, since Skeksis have never had childlings before." Tek replied and went on to explain the gory details. Sil was an adult and deserved to know the truth after all, in this case.

The gory details sent a shiver down Sil's spine. He wasn't looking forward to that, but he would do what he would to have his baby. He wouldn't give up on it.

"I have it, no matter what happens." Sil declared proudly.

"No matter what happens?" the voice of the Ritual Master asked.

That startled both Sil and Tek. Sil immediately put his robes down in a hurry.

Zok looked at them both in curiosity.

"Nothing, SkekZok. SkekSil just needed a health check." Tek replied.

"I see. The Emperor is demanding more essence soon." Zok declared.

"Yes, it will done soon. Very soon." Tek replied.

"Good. Do it after this." Zok demanded.

"Yes, Lord Ritual Master." the Scientist agreed.

Zok left the lab.

Sil let out a sigh of relief. "Too close."

"They all must find out soon, Chamberlain. You were almost caught this time." Tek warned.

"I know."

"No essence for you, you know that."

Sil whimpered. "Yes, know it." He began to push himself up off the table. He grunted at the effort that it took to put even the littlest bend in his upper belly to just get off the table.