Rebellion and New Life

Chapter 20: The Birth and Unexpected Twist

Chamberlain screamed for what felt like the thousandth time that day. The contractions were picking up. The muscles of his belly hurt so badly. He felt like his middle was trying to tear him in half. Almost at this rate, he might have been happy to let the Scientist cut the baby, or babies out of his belly: it hurt too much.

He wanted his mate with him so badly. At one point, he screamed his mate's name in terrible pain. He couldn't help it that tears came to his eyes and were spilling. He felt like he was going to die! The ground around his feet was all torn from him digging his feet in, as well as his hands. He had tried various positions for comfort, but the one that seemed the most relieving was leaning forward in a squat-like position.

On the next contraction, when he leaned forward to get some slight relief, he felt a rush of fluid rupture inside him, and it was like he urinated a big amount, more than normal. Fluid soaked the ground in front of him and some of the robes under his legs. This looked more like clear water rather than urine. His water had broken!

The contractions began to pick up more, causing more stress and pain to the pregnant Skeksis. Chamberlain was scared out of his wits. Here he was, out in the wilderness with no help, and no doctor. No one to help deliver his baby. But then, living creatures went off and delivered their babies on their own all the time. How hard could it be, other than the pain?

Sil hoped he wasn't having too many babies. He would be so sore that he wouldn't be able to move for awhile if he had a large 'litter.' Sure, he had eight nipples that could possibly feed a whole litter. Unknown to him, his breasts were full of milk, ready for the new baby. The smaller ones on his belly were a little full too, but not nearly as the two at the top.

In between his contractions, Sil tried to distract himself from the pain, to think of some name for the baby, but then thought it might be better to talk with his mate about that before making any decision.

Nearby, there was a Gelfling that had escaped the Garthim raids on the Stonewood village. He had been moving through hiding places, not found by the Skeksis. He had been out occasionally, carefully trying to find food in the forest, and was now just picking up on the Chamberlain's screaming. This could be trouble for one very vulnerable Skeksis.

This Gelfling was a male, and his name was Keg. Like most Stonewood, he had long, dark hair. Everything had changed for him when the Garthim came and killed what was left of his clan. He would love to pay them back for their dark deeds.

He felt like he might have a chance for revenge when he heard the Skeksis screaming. It sounded almost female. He followed his ears to see who, or what it was. It was outside the village, but close by it.

After going over a hill and in a thicket of trees, Keg's eyes lit up when he saw it: there was one of the Skeksis, lying beside a big tree! Whichever one it was that had the red robes on. He saw the Skeksis was obviously in pain. He was holding his belly as he leaned over on his knees, screaming. Then, came a stop, and heavy panting. The Gelfling felt confused. Something about this whole scene was wrong.

Keg thought about just going over to end the Skeksis' life, but he had a mind about letting the evil creature suffer for awhile. He deserved it for killing his clan. Any Skeksis deserved it. Even if this Skeksis called for help, he wouldn't sympathize at all. But then, as he spied upon it some more, he began to connect things. The size of the bare belly, the attitude... was it possible? Was this Skeksis having a baby? He had seen and heard many a pregnant woman during labor back in his village, and this looked really similar somehow.

Keg grinned, darkly. The ultimate way of getting back at this Skeksis would be to take away its future bloodline, aside from killing him.

Contractions continued for awhile and got closer together. It was near dark when the worst ones came along. Sil was not aware of his surroundings anymore. He was not aware he was being watched. All he could feel was pain, and an instinct to push now as the pressure was building down in his lower belly.