Forty seven

I was silent as I watched Dyane touch and prod parts of my body. At first I was not, after she had given me water and I could talk without my throat feeling like a knife was being sharpened at it, I told them as the attack and what happened. Elison left to give orders and spread the news that I was finally awake. Now he is back in the tent, seated beside me as Dyane carry out her examination on me.

“What has been happening?” I questioned Elison who looked away.

“You need to rest” he finally said when I asked him the question again and it became obvious that I will not leave the issue alone.

“I need to know what is going on in my husband camp” I argued.

Elison looked torn and when he glanced at Dyane who shook her head not wanting Elison to say anything I added. “Please, it is better I know. If I don’t, my mind will make up situations worse than what is going on.”

“The commanders are thinking that you led Orel to his enemies and that was why he was kidnapped. They think you are a spy and that you cannot lead in your husband stead.” Elison said.

“Lead?” I asked confused.

“Yes, Orel was kidnapped not killed... at least not that we know of. You are the Warlady, you are to hold his rule in place until his return. If any other commander becomes the acting Warlord, when Orel returns Orel will have to kill the commander.”

I nodded at his answer with my mind a thousand miles away, slowly catching up to the fact that Orel was in grave danger. At that moment, Dyane hands came to rest again on my stomach and her actions made me to return to my head

“What is going on, why are you feeling my tummy?” I asked her and she quickly looked at Elison who shook his head. “It is my body, I deserve to know what is going on with it…. Was I raped?” I asked with dread in my voice.

“No, no. you were not.” Dyane was quick to lay my suspicions to rest.

“Then what…” I started to say then I remembered the blood that I saw between my thighs as I was running. “I was bleeding out…”

“Nothing is wrong with the both of you.” Dyane rushed out.

“Both…” I asked not getting Dyane at all, it was like we were talking about two different things.

“You and your baby.” She said softly.

That was when it hit me, I was pregnant. That was the explanation for the fatigue and the reason why I was not able to keep my food down. I was pregnant and alone. The father was being tortured somewhere in the enemy camp or worse, already killed. I broke down into sobs, I should be happy today but I am not. Orel might be dead then I have to raise our child all alone.

“Themis.” Elison said as he hugged me and I held on to him, sobbing.

“He might not get to meet his child Elison.” I tried to explain.

“I know, I know. We will get him back. Nothing has happened to him. He is too stubborn to die.” Elison said rubbing my back to calm me down. It took a while before I could get the tears under control. That was when my mind started moving fast to cover all the bases. This child only have me right now and I have to protect him with everything I have even if it means leading and making decisions for an army in war which I know nothing about war.

“I want to know everything about what has been happening, then I need you to get the commanders, I need to control this situation and make sure that Orel will have his place secured for his return.” I said to Elison with an edge to my tone, he inclined his head with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, we need Gwenn back as soon as possible. Right now, only she and Elison can protect me and Orel interests right now.

“I will, Warlady.” Elison said, then he proceeded to tell me all I need to know about everything.

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“What is the meaning of this, she has no right to call us here for a meeting.” A commander said as I curled my lips into a smile.

“I have every right, I have learnt a few new things since the moment I woke up. Want to hear them?” I asked the group of commanders in front of me, the only one who didn’t have a distrusting or hostile face among the gathered crowd was Olyver.

“Do we have a choice?” a commander said sarcastically.

I beamed a smile at him, projecting a confidence I was not feeling. I need them to believe I was strong, just enough for me to maintain Orel place until we get him back. “It is a good thing that you know that you don’t have a choice. I am pregnant with Orel child.” When there was no change in their looks I knew that more than half of the camp must be aware of the fact. “I am also going to act as the Warlady rather than leaving the position opened for any of you to fill in my husband place…” that announcement ensue chaos. I waited for it to die down before I continued. “My champion will be commander Elison and my second in command will be Commander Gwenn. If you want to challenge me for the position of warlord, you can duel with Elison but it will be a duel to the death.” I stated as they kept quiet not making rowdy noise again.

“I know that some of you hate me for no reason other than I belonged in one of the tribes which you see as beneath you but I will remind you that my husband has welcomed me into his line by allowing me to bear his name…”

“We don’t have to listen to you make commands about something which you know nothing about. We should just kill you and be done with it… like you did to the warlord.” The commander who Orel disciplined for being rude to me spoke up. Orel was not here, I have to defend myself.

“Next time you question my words, you will be flogged. I will not be taken for granted. This is my army until my husband comes back and when he does come back, I would very much like you to repeat the words you just said to me to his face.” I said as I stood up from my seat.

“I have no plans for ruling for long but I will keep ruling until Orel returns back to his rightful place. Don’t underestimate me and don’t think that I cannot do away with you. I can and I will if I am given reason to. Don’t test me.” I said as I walked out with Elison by my side. I got to my tent which I shared with Orel, then I started shaking and crying silently. I can only show weakness in private.