Not Alone

Chapter 22: Oops

The amber-eyed healer hisses as Silan sets him down on his feet, glaring nastily as he berates the larger male: "You could have just asked! I would have come anyway, as it is my duty as a healer!"

Silan shrugs nonchalantly, entirely unbothered by the furious healer beside him.

I close my eyes briefly, breathing deeply as I pray desperately for patience. I sigh, getting up from Asper's coils as I look towards the Healer "I am so sorry for my idiot Mate, Sorn. Dias has absolutely no manners, please forgive him"

Dias takes on an affronted look as he points to Silan "Hey now, Silan was the one who carried him!" Silan casts an annoyed glare at Dias, but I snap back "Yes, but I know in my soul that this was your idea"

I look back to Sorn, who is fussily tidying his feather kilt as he cuts in "Now that I am here, however rudely I arrived, what is it you would like from me as a Healer?"

Asper, standing close by my side, answers "This is our mate's first pregnancy, and as she is from a very different and distant tribe, we didn't want to take any risks with her health"

Sorn casts a brief, confused look Asper's way "Shouldn't you be in hibernation?" Asper goes to answer but Sorn quickly waves him off "Nevermind, it's not important"

Sorn approaches slowly, casting the occasional, slightly nervous, glance to Silan "May I examine you, Female?" I nod "Go ahead, and please, call me Xena, I prefer it instead being called Female"

Gently grasping my arm, Sorn takes my pulse as he asks "Are you aware of the species of your offspring?" "Either Bat or Orca" "What are your meals like?" he inquires as he lightly pinches the skin on my hand "Mostly meat and fish, with some berries and whatever ground roots we can find. Silan brings in Kelp now and then as well"

Sorn motions for me to sit on a nearby stool as he kneels "May I touch your belly?" Asper crosses his arms, discomfort practically radiating from him, but I wave him off and sit down in front of the healer, adjusting my knee-length fur skirt as I go.

Slowly extending his arms, Sorn gently presses his hands onto my stomach, occasionally moving a few inches before pressing again as he asks "What kind of cravings have you been having?" "Mostly meat, but I have been craving sugar" "Pardon, what is sugar?" "Uh, think Honey instead, sweet foods" "I understand. I will need silence for a few moments, if you please"

The room descends into silence as Sorn closes his eyes, his hands still gently pressing into my belly. His head slowly tips from side to side, listening intently.

Opening his eyes, he takes his hands off me and stands back up, loosely clasping his hands in front of him as he reports "From all I can tell, you are in excellent condition. I would recommend drinking more water as you are a little dehydrated, but that is minor"

He glances around the room, his large eyes skimming over the other males "I cannot tell what species your offspring are, it is still a little early, but they all seem healthy as well. I could feel at least two young, possibly three, and I heard nothing that would tell of a weak heartbeat"

I give a tight smile "Thank you, Sorn, I appreciate the good news" Three kids. Hoo boy.

He pauses, tilting his head in a considering manner. Dias' brows furrow as he catches the body language "There's something else?"

Sorn's tongue darts out to wet his lips before slowly saying "I am not an Ape, so I am not as sensitive to energy as they are. However, through my experience as a Healer, I am a little familiar with their methods," another pause "I am telling the truth when I say your young are healthy, but there is something... different about their energy. Nothing bad or harmful, as far as I can tell, but different"