Redsand Canyon I will love you until the last breath leaves my body

Just @Aquene please, for now. Not exactly sure how Germanicus would behave, so PM me if I need to edit.

Ruenna's contractions began early in the evening, mild and spaced far enough apart not to be too much trouble. She was even able to get some sleep tucked into Germanicus's embrace, though no doubt he would feel every shudder that racked her slight frame. 

Around midmorning, Ruenna was able to persuade Germanicus to leave the den to lead the auxilia in their daily training run. It could be hours or even up to a day before the pups came; there was no sense in having him hovering over her, neglecting his duties. He only agreed to step out when Aquene arrived to take over his post. 

Ruenna busied herself with adjusting the furs in her personal corner of the chamber, which she rarely utilized anymore. She had slept here for a few weeks perhaps, at the beginning of her marriage, but since then the cranny had been all but abandoned. 

Ruenna refused to hear any medical advice from Aquene while she was busy with her mission to get everything about the corner just so. Part of her was aware she was being unreasonable, but her logical side was powerless against the beast that was her maternal instinct. 

When she was finally satisfied with the corner, she turned to Aquene a little sheepishly. "So, um.. what now, do you suppose?" She was ready for the medicine, or the treatment, or whatever Aquene would suggest.

The medicus had been diligently preparing for this moment. Admittedly, she felt much more prepared for the task than she had been originally after speaking with the midwife Mahler and learning from him. Her mother had taught her much in ways of healing, but midwife aspects were glazed over in favor of treating war wounds… she felt more prepared than she had going into her mother’s birthing, and for that she was thankful. As the Matrona paced and readied herself, Aquene would observe. Moving and walking was good for the laboring process.
 
She finally settled in the corner, the question being met with a soft and genuine smile from the medicus as she spoke. “Now, you become a mother.” She answered simply as she moved over. “I am going to check the positioning of the pups to make sure they are positioned properly. It’s going to feel uncomfortable.” Though it was nothing to any labor pains she would feel in the moments to come. She had with her the red raspberry leaf to restart contractions if they stalled, small snacks as advised by Mahler as well as a beaver tail she had specifically tasked her husband @Kallik with finding to give to her after everything was said and done. She kept dandelion root in case the Matrona got anxious and cohosh though she doubted it would be necessary. “Laboring is not a fast process most of the time… we will monitor your contractions as they get closer together. Walking is good in the early stages of labor to help move things along so we might walk if your pain levels allow it and you will eat and drink and rest when you are tired… there is nothing else to be done until the contractions become close together.” She worried about the Matrona's injuries still, that the pain would prevent her from moving around as Mahler had suggested, but she would not dare voice such concerns to the Matrona. There was no need to worry her.

Ruenna submitted to Aquene's exam, biting back a complaint when the medic warned of discomfort. Rue was already in a fair bit of pain, but she attempted to wear a brave face for Aquene. 

That brave face would last for about eight hours, give or take. Ruenna labored for a long time, just as Aquene predicted. 

The sun rose high in the sky and began to set. Germanicus had come and gone more times than Ruenna could count, many times to fetch some item Aquene required-- fresh skins, moss ball soaked in cool water, and the like. 

In the beginning, Ruenna had paced as Aquene directed her, but eventually the pain became too much to bear as exhaustion weakened her shaky frame. The chewed remains of raspberry leaves, cohosh, and dandelion root littered the floor of the den. Ruenna lay on her side, wan and silent save for her shallow panting.

Finally, the first child was making its way into the world-- sideways, as the medic would no doubt be dismayed to see, especially when she had gone to all that trouble to position them correctly. Turned the way it was, the child had no hope of freeing itself from the womb, and its mother was in no position to assist. Rue whimpered piteously; a wordless plea for Aquene's help.

A large part of her wished for a quick labor on the Matrona’s behalf. The longer it prevailed the more precarious a position she could be placed into… and yet, it did not. It dragged on, and Ruenna pushed her way through it. Aquene assured her at times that she did not need to push herself, and tried to mind her pain though she could not help but suspect the Matrona was not entirely honest with her when she asked how she was feeling in regards to her pain levels. The Imperator acted as her assistance at times, fetching her what she needed and it was such a traversal of roles that at first it had surprised the medicus. She had come from vastly different cultures, ones where men were nowhere in sight when a woman labored.
 
Aquene worried anything for the pain might affect the contractions and pushing process, and in that moment she only worried more. She offered dandelion root in the hopes that easing some of the anxiety might help with her pain levels. Pain could be more heightened by mental strife. Cohosh and raspberry leaves were used to try and push the contractions further so that the woman might finally start being able to push… and all started to become well in the sense that they were getting to the delivery stages…
 
To her dismay, the first child was sideways and stuck. “Keep breathing. You’re doing so good, Ruenna.” The praise fluttered often across her lips as her bedside manner guided her. She shifted down, recalling how Mahler had demonstrated repositioning the child using her paws and jaws to help pull the child out into the world. She could only focus on safely getting the child out the correct way and hope that it was the last of the complications the birth provided.

Aquene is welcome to examine Ruenna and discover that there is one more still on the way. Stevie, judging from her appearance at birth, here is a link to a projected adult appearance for your pup, Valiria: https://i.imgur.com/kaYZm5r.jpg

With Aquene's deft assistance, the first child was born. Ignoring her exhaustion, Ruenna hovered over the child, licking and nudging life into the little body. When the child finally began squeaking, Ruenna could have sworn she heard Towhee bark a cheer from somewhere outside the den. 

Ruenna licked harder at the pale child-- a girl-- attempting to remove the grey smudges on her alabaster coat. After a few moments, Rue realized the smudges were the child's permanent coloring, and she ceased her cleaning. Ruenna's eye caught the particularly dark sock encasing one of the child's rear paws, and she smiled in recognition. "Hello, little Liri Blackfoot," she whispered to the girl, misty-eyed and smiling. 

It was time to deliver the rest of Liri's siblings. 

Her contractions began again, and some instinct within Ruenna railed against the presence of the others. Her hackles rose, and a low growl sent everyone present scuttling out of the den. Just as she had innately known she needed Aquene's help delivering Liri, she knew in her bones that she could-- no, had to-- bring the rest of the children into the world on her own.

After about half an hour, Liri was joined by two brothers. Ruenna's contractions had ceased, and she curled sleepily around the three children. 

"@Germanicus? Aquene? @Towhee?" Ruenna called softly, summoning the others back into the den. She beckoned Aquene closer, desiring that the medic should check over the newborns. Once Aquene finished examining the children, Ruenna would introduce the newest Redsands. 

"Valiria," Ruenna said proudly, smiling down at pale little Liri-- the one who had already caused so much trouble. 

"@Cornelius. And.. @Aquillius," Ruenna finished, naming the two inky boys. They appeared as though they could be twins, and they already resembled their father. 

Ruenna looked to Germanicus for approval. She had requested Tamar's assistance in coming up with Roman-inspired names that she thought would please her husband, and she was hoping it would be a sweet surprise for him.

two. four. six. eight. 

he had stopped counting the hours.

between his own arrangements and his constant attention to bring whatever aquene needed, germanicus had felt a deep sense of exhaustion set into him.

and yet it could not be worse than what ruenna suffered now.

towhee was close. aquene was within.

he neared in time to hear the very uncommon growl which sounded from the depths of their chamber. both women hurried from the denmouth and so the imperator did not draw near.

stiff-backed and voiceless, he sat down to wait, eyes fixed upon the entrance as if fate might befall them all should he look away.

and then his wife's voice sounded again, and all he could hear was the call for himself. but germanicus did not press into the domicile until aquene had gone before him.

his heart seemed to gallop. ruenna was not in their bed but tucked into the place where she had first slept during the initial nights of their marriage. it felt both strange and correct that she should choose a place not touched by himself to bring their children earthside. their children. their children. he was dizzied and enamoured, staring at the three downy bundles moving alongside his wife. 

valiria. cornelius. aquillius. his throat clenched with the honor of both their existence and their names. uncaring who might see now, the imperator pressed his lips to her cheek with a low clearing of his throat. "they are very beautiful. and very strong," he said hoarsely, able only to look at them without words until his attention was drawn to the healer's attentive presence.

The aroma of blood and sweet new life fills the chamber. Ruenna sits with her babies held close. She is surrounded. Her tired voice fills the space as she quietly bestows names upon her newborns, although they cannot hear her.

Cornelius is small, with gray furs matted by fluids. There is a muddy quality to the grizzle he wears and a dark masking to his face. There is a similarly colored child beside him, and then a pale girl - siblings he cannot see or hear.

He feels them, though. Gasping breaths, he looks utterly pathetic, and makes tiny sad sounds while seeking something to fill his belly.

There was relief when the child drew her first breath. Ruenna’s contractions flared up once more but Aquene expected nothing less. It was obvious to the woman who had done the initial inspection that she would be welcoming multiple children into the world. Still, compared to the rest of her laboring, the next two came quick. The mother was beckoning her over while calling in her husband and closest friend. Aquene’s focus was on the health of the children and the health of the mother as well. The children all seemed to be healthy. Still, she was thorough in her examinations before shifting her attentions to Ruenna.
 
It was then that she found concern, a frown on her features as she hated to interrupt the happy moment. “Lady Ruenna, you are not done.” She stated for a lack of awareness on how else to address it. “You still have another child in your belly.” She assessed as she had looked over and lightly pressed against it while also checking for any kind of bleeding: the medicus’ worst nightmare to appear during childbirth due to the trauma of her own mother’s death. She quickly ushered her way over to fetch more raspberry leaves, knowing she would need to kickstart the labor process once more should Ruenna not feel on her own that she needed to deliver at least one more.

She felt stronger today, steeled against yesterday’s fluxing emotions. She arrived at the palazzo bright and early to discover Ruenna had gone into labor sometime after her departure the evening prior. Towhee’s heart skipped in her chest as she tried to peek inside without actually entering. Aquene was in there, coaching the Matrona through the delivery. The Redhawk wished she could be right beside Rue, holding her hand. But she stood outside, eyes glued to the door, waiting…

Towhee didn’t hear the call of her name, of course, but she knew when the moment came. She ducked inside the leaders’ household, pausing in confusion for a split second before swiftly moving toward where the Matrona sprawled in a corner, three newborns at her breast. Towhee gazed at the puppies, but it was to her friend’s face that her gaze clung.

How’re you doing, Mama Woo? the former Praefectus breathed, deaf to the children’s naming, the Imperator’s own soft words and Aquene’s surprising declaration.

Were the little girl capable of such thoughts, she may have wondered why her mother was so determined to eject her from the warm, cozy world she was used to and send her careening into such a cold, bizarre place as this one. In an instant, everything once familiar became alien and uninviting. Perhaps that was why she had tried so hard to stay put, obstinately positioning herself so as to be the plug that rescued herself and her siblings from being driven from their haven.

But the reality was, little Liri had no idea what was happening or why it was happening. Her only concern upon entering the world was to cry out for the comforts her instincts told her she needed immediately--warmth and safety.

Fortunately for her, that was provided rather quickly as she was tucked against her mother. Soon enough, she was joined by more, both at her side and hovering above her. The bystanders were irrelevant to her, and would be had she even noticed them at all. Warmth and safety mattered. Warmth and safety were a mother and two brothers. She was content with that.

Once the third need rose up in her, she was quickly satisfied of that as well. Instinct told her where to look for sustenance. It was right beside her nose, so she tucked right on in until her little belly was full and all of her needs were abruptly replaced by one, which was perhaps the simplest to obtain of all.

Sleep.

Germanicus seemed pleased; he brushed a kiss against her cheek, and Ruenna's air left her in a happy sigh. "They will be Mereo's pride," she agreed with him, smiling tiredly. The little bean she called Cornelius began making a pathetic sound, and Ruenna nudged him gently to her belly. 

She then looked to Aquene, who was finishing her examination. Were the children latching? Did her milk production seem sufficient? There were still so many ways things could go wrong, Ruenna knew. And yet, despite knowing this, Ruenna was not expecting what Aquene told her next: there was one more child still inside. Dread dropped into her belly like an anvil, and emotion began to claw its way up her throat. 

Towhee moved forward, an oblivious question on her breath. Ruenna fixed her panicked gaze on her closest friend. "I.. I think I'm dying," she answered, cold fear draining her already wan expression. It was another feeling that she couldn't explain, she just knew. She began trembling from head to toe, and she hugged herself around her precious children. 

With Aquene's medical intervention, Ruenna's contractions would eventually restart, but the fear would remain in the pit of her stomach. The bleeding started too; at first just a little bit, but then more and more as the contractions strengthened. Finally, the last remaining child was born in a wash of blood. Ruenna licked at her weakly. "Alivia," her voice trembled weakly. 

She looked up to Towhee with a desperate, pleading gaze. Darkness was edging at her vision, and she opened her mouth to speak, but the words slipped away from her. Thankfully, Towhee had never needed to hear words to understand a message. Take care of them. 

Ruenna's gaze shifted to Germanicus. She had never told him she loved him. Now she felt she never would. 

Darkness drowned Ruenna's vision, and she lapsed into unconsciousness.

At the mention of another child, Aquene could practically feel the dread pool in her own belly… and then her words broke the air and Aquene felt the fear in her own heart, doing her best to keep her expression schooled as the internal panic set in. No. She refused to let Ruenna go as she had her mother. It was simply not going to happen. “You are not dying.” There was a certain determination and insistence in her tone. Aquene needed Ruenna to know that for her own selfish reasons more so than her own comfort.
 
The contractions returned, Alivia making her way into the world as she watched as the Matrona started to slip away right in front of them, and Aquene quickly burst into action, not hesitating to shove her way around even if it meant pushing the Imperator or Praefectus out of the way in the process. She doubted either of them would argue with it. She just needed to hold it together a little longer. Ruenna was not allow to die on her. There was more blood. She took a deep breath, doing what she needed to do up to and including forcing plants down the woman’s throat since she could not take them herself in her unconscious state. Ergot helped greatly with the bleeding but the terror still gripped her internally, contrasting the determined and steely exterior she was forcing herself to present.
 
Just wake up. Aquene would stay, diligently cleaning the Matrona up and keeping an eye on the pups as she waited for her to stir. She would become more protective and perhaps a little overbearing over the mother to ensure her health and safety.

wasnt sure what the posting order was but throwing this in!

everything shifted very quickly.

aquene spoke and germanicus registered unknowingly. his eyes remained upon his wife, who had gone wan and weak. 

and then the blood. and then a fourth child, a second daughter stained with it.

the eagle might never forget the sight of it all. he stepped where he was directed, did as the healer commanded, gathered their children closer to him and from the scene.

and in his heart he raced with fear, a glassy slanted edge of it. there were many things unsaid and yet he could muster none of them. the imperator was stiff-legged and grim, mechanic, voiceless save for a muttering here and there.

germanicus refused to panic. the hours passed and he did not rest in his tireless assistance of their physician. ruenna would not die. she must not die.

No more posting order-- anyone who wants to get in a final post is welcome, otherwise I'll be archiving soon!

No, Ruenna would not die, but neither would she fully wake-- at least not that evening. With some effort, Aquene would manage to rouse her enough to take water and medications. By the wee hours of the morning, it would seem that Ruenna was out of the woods, at least as far as the blood loss was concerned. However, by that point a fever had set in, and the new mother and her midwife would spend the following days battling her soaring body temperature. 

Blind and deaf, Alivia was ignorant of all the chaos. She did not appear to mind wallowing in the warm, viscous pool into which she was born, although she would grunt happily when the tongue began to stroke her soothingly. The sharp, metallic tang that enveloped the few senses she possessed would be her first experience of the world. Despite being to young to have any thoughts on this, the memory of this experience would remain as an imprint, and for a long time to follow the taste of blood would be met with a feeling of curious familiarity.

Like hell you are, Towhee replied without a thought, jaw setting defiantly even as Ruenna fell unconscious.

Rue had waited so long for this day, there was no way she would miss out on her children. Towhee’s eyes flicked to Aquene, ready to do whatever the healer needed to assist, even if she just needed to hold Rue’s hand and otherwise stay out of the way.

She hardly looked at Germanicus or the pups—there would be plenty of time for that, later—instead keeping her eyes glued on the Matrona’s face. Between her intense denial and the medicus’s skill, they would not lose her today.