Amgyptapan

Chapter 10: Baby News

Serina had been feeling sick lately. Not the feverish type, but the kind where you feel your stomach wants to eject its contents every ten seconds. For a month now, Serina's stomach had rid itself of perfectly adequate sustenance. Serina was absolutely miserable.

Nothile was worried about his mate. A stomach illness lasting this long just was not natural. He had tried to give her her favorite foods to comfort her, but they only seemed to hasten her vomiting. The High Priest had to do something to help her.

"My Dearest Moon, perhaps a healer would know how to help. Even though all priests are trained in medicine, stomach plagues are beyond my knowledge." Nothile stated, holding his mate's hair back as she regurgitated the contents of her stomach into a huge jug.

"You did not mention this before, why exactly?" Serina snapped, irritated.

"I wanted to be sure that your body would not take care of this illness on its own before requesting aid." Nothile answered.

"It took a month for you to realize this is not going away? You are very perceptive!" Serina sarcastically replied

"My Dearest-" Nothile started.

"Do not 'My Dearest Moon' me! Do you have any idea how I feel right now?" Serina interrupted.

"Serina, I understand that constantly expelling the contents of your stomach is very unpleasant. However, that is no reason to be upset with me." Nothile returned.

"I know. I am sorry. I just hate that I am not feeling more like myself." Serina apologized.

Nothile rubbed Serina's back. He hoped that his beloved wife was not in possession of a deadly plague. He did not know what he would do without her. Life without Serina just would not be life worth living.

"Alright. Maybe a healer's opinion might help. I am willing to do anything to rid myself of this wretched vomiting." Serina declared.

Nothile nodded. He helped his mate to her feet. They had been relaxing in their private chambers. The High Priest led Serina through many corridors.

The Medical Room of the palace was bare of writing, but smelled of incense. All around lay beds made of fresh straw. If Nothile had to choose, he would rather visit this room than the Madjei officers' barracks. This room felt clean and comfortable.

"Nothile! What can I do for you and your lovely mate?" A voice said.

Nothile jumped slightly. He hated when people snuck up on him and started talking like that. He turned to face the head healer; a friend of his from when he was a child. The two had similar pickiness for cleanliness which was why they were friends in the first place.

Serina rolled her eyes. Her mate was easily startled. All you had to do was sneak up on him. She had found that out in the days before the Ridding of Purity ceremony.

"Would the gods smite you if you at least announced your presence before speaking?" Nothile remarked in an irritated tone.

"My apologies, my friend. I forgot that you are easily startled." The Head Healer appeased. "Now, what can I do for the two of you?"

"My mate, Serina," Nothile explained, "has been in possession of a strange stomach plague for a month now. I thought maybe you would know something about how to get rid of whatever is causing it."

"Of course." The Head Healer replied then turned to Serina, "If you will follow me, my dear."

Serina snapped, "Do not call me that! The only ones allowed to use an endearment when speaking to me are my father, cousins, and my mate. You are neither of those."