Fall of a King ; Battle for Egypt Book 2

Chapter 7 Welcoming the Future

It has been one week. One week since we buried Neferure, since Bakari's outcry at the feast. We had returned to the palace at Hierakonpolis. To plan our counter attack on Sutekh. Finally defeating him, and uniting Egypt once and for all. Not just for our subjects, but for our child that was inside my womb. Bakari was acting like his old self again. Who he was before his wife's death. He spent most of his time training new recruits for our army. Many in the city and the surrounding villages were coming to join our side. They wanted to end the tyrannical reign of Sutekh just as much as we did. Ka and I spent our time planning the attack, trying to choose the best location for the battle. It was the only way to defeat him was to challenge him to a true battle. This was the last chance to fight against his reign of terror. One week after we returned. I was laying in bed, Ka sleeping beside me. The baby has become heavy in my womb. So sleeping had become near impossible. It was any day now that I would begin my labors... 

I suddenly felt something wet between my legs. I pulled down the blankets and pulled up my dress. Blood was mixed with something else. I then felt immense pain in my stomach. I clutched my stomach, it was the baby. The baby was coming. I screamed as another pain ripped through my stomach. Ka jumped up from his side as he heard my screams. He turned and looked me over. In the darkness, I could hear his heartbeat.

"The baby Ka, it is the baby. He or she is coming," I hissed. As the pain subsided I fell back on the bed panting. But I knew that more pain was coming. He jumped up again and ran to the door. He threw it open. Startling the guard standing there. The guard stood at attention. 

"Get the midwife, the queen is in labor. Go NOW," Ka commanded. The guard all but ran from his post. He raced back to me and took my hand. He squeezed it reassuringly. Trying to take my mind off the pain. But it did not. I needed my friend, I needed my friend now. 

"Tiye, go find Tiye. I need Tiye NOW," I screamed. I felt another pain hit my body. I bit my lip, feeling blood in my mouth as I cut into my lip. Ka left the room to go find Tiye. I tried to breathe, I tried to relax. This baby was coming, I was having this baby. I was bringing my child into the world. I watched as the servants lit the torches around the room. I grasped blankets on the bed. It hurt, why did it hurt so much? I felt sweat drip down my face. I felt like it was an eternity since Ka left. Just then Ka and Tiye ran back into the room. Tiye raced to my side. Her brow furrowed in concern. She knew what was happening. I suddenly  felt guilty, knowing all too well what had happened last time. But I need her here, to comfort and help me. 

"Hemet, I am here. It is alright, you will be alright," she said. She took my hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze. I felt another pain, I shut my eyes, my breathing shallow. My heart is pounding in my chest. When it subsided, I looked at her. Ka was standing above her. He seemed unsure what to do. I could see his shoulders tensing every time a pain hit my body. 

"Tiye, I am afraid. I know what is coming," I whimpered. Every nerve in my body screams out. For the pain to stop, why was there so much pain? She gave me a smile. It was a sad one. But it still was a smile. Remembering what had happened to her sister just a few months before. What happened to Neferure when she gave birth to Thutmose.

"You will be alright. Your little prince or princess wants to join us," she said. Ka turned to leave the room. It was not custom for the men to be in the room, they would wait outside until the baby was born. But I did not care. I needed him here. 

"Ka, do not leave me. You do not get to leave me. Not now! Not when I am having this child,"  I hissed. I cried out in pain again. I reached out with my other hand. Wanting him to take it.I needed his strength now. I needed him by my side.

"Makara, my love, it is not custom. The king does not stand by the queen. He waits outside. Until the child is born," Ka said. I rolled my eyes as another pain hit my body. They were coming at faster pace now. I knew it would only be a matter of time before I would have to push.