Armana's Gift

VERA

The months passed quickly. Soon she was sitting in front of another oval bowl. Instead of it being pointed north to south, it was turned east to west.

She normally would have done with with a second Priest or Priestess. Someone who would whisper the words of the rite while she made the small offering needed.

"So..." Liam whispered softly.

That relationship was no better nor worse then it was since he found out. He was withdrawn from her, hiding from her. She had to constantly keep a choke hold on her feelings so that he wouldn't be upset with her. He also only offered her things. Things to help her or the babe, but nothing more. Not a single touch. Reshan was now a permanent fixture in their room during the waking hours to help them prepare for the babe.

They had been given a bassinet and several other items. It was getting crowded in their room, no matter how big it was.

And everyone knew, offering her congratulations or hugging her. Some though, were furious she had gotten pregnant, saying she was risking everything and dooming the child for being so stupid or foolish. Those people were never allowed near her again, Reshan and Liam had put a stop to it.

"I offer a single drop of my blood, the blood of the mother, and say the right. It the drop moves to the east, it's a boy. If it moves west, it's a girl." She had repeated this several times. Normally it was done with mother, Priestess, and father in the background, but Reshan was also there for this one, being useless just like Liam could be. "Now, hush, I must concentrate. This isn't magyck per say but I am invoking Armana to answer my question. She could not answer, it's a possibility."

She pricked her finger and let the drop fall. Unlike other times blood mixed with water, this drop didn't dissipate in the bowl of water. It was dong exactly what it was suppose to and wait.

"Armana, I humbly ask for your knowledge to help me best prepare for this future babe growing in the womb."

She waited, to see if Armana would be kind and answer her this one question.

She didn't. the blood mixed in with the water and didn't travel to a side before doing so.

"She feels the answer to the question is not something we deserve." Vera whispered. "We must wait until the birth." She stood slowly and ran a hand over her small distended belly. She was roughly half way through the pregnancy and it would be a long wait.

"Fuck," snarled Liam, who stood up and began to pace.

"It wouldn't have changed anything, Liam, " Reshan softly caleld to him. "You know that."

"It would have put something at ease in me to know it was a boy," Liam growled back. Vera could only watch them, patiently. She threw her robe and sighed.

"Or left you more upset to learn it was girl," Reshan snapped. "Stop this. Enjoy the time you two have before the babe is born and stop thinking on it. It's done. We'll know when we know!"

Liam snarled and stormed out.

"It's fine Reshan," she sat with the owl Avium, who sighed.

"It's not, Vera," he looked at her sadly. "It's not. He should marry you, be your husband like his heart wants. He's denying your-"

"I won't hold my feelings against him, and neither should you." They've had this conversation more then she cared for. "I'm getting some rest." She stood back up and went to the bed. Liam was now sleeping on the couch, which upset her more but she dealt with it.

Reshan left quietly and she curled under her blankets and fell fast asleep only to have nightmares.