Reena mentioned she still wanted to give Tara an examination. She wasnat convinced the Runner doctor was right about the due date. Tara was getting very big, and Reena was convinced she would have the baby in the next two cycles. To make matters worse, the first snow had fallen the night before. Tara felt awkward enough walking on the uneven ground and knew she would have a difficult time maintaining balance in the snow. There was a bitter wind, and both women ganged up against Tara, saying it was not wise to tempt a cold in her condition.

Torgo looked at Tara helplessly as the two women sounded triumphant with their argument.

aAre the two of you quite through?a Tara leaned back in her chair and calmly surveyed the women. aIall be driving into town today. Iave spent many days in much colder weather than this, and Iall be fine. I think it might be a good idea to take Torgo with me. Look at it as a compromise. He can be my chaperone. I a.s.sure you, Iall keep him from harm.a Hilda threw up her hands in the air. aI donat have the fight to keep up with you, girl. I daresay there probably arenat many people who do.a aHowas this,a Reena suggested. aYou take the boy, but when you get back, I do the examination. Will that suit you, Hilda?a Hilda looked at Tara.

Tara couldnat tell if it was a disapproving look or not.

aI reckon it suits me. Itas manas work inspecting whatas left of those buildings, it is, and heall be a man soon enough, he will.a aGreat!a Torgo jumped up from the table. aWhen do we leave?a aAfter I eat.a Tara helped herself to more bacon.

aThatas right. Sit, boy.a Reena smiled. aSheas eating for two now.a aDr. Digo says thatas the type of thinking that makes women fat,a Tara said in between bites.

aAh, and this same man says youare due in four cycles as well, huh?a Reena shook her head and scooped more food onto Taraas plate.

Tara finished eating quickly, and soon after, she and Torgo were out the door. Downtown looked so different than it had before. Tara remembered coming to the stores for the first time with Reena. As she parked the jeep and walked down the sidewalk with Torgo, very few people were visible, unlike before when merchants bustled about and the streets filled with chattering women and children. The grocery store was open, but most of the other shops were closed.

Tara pointed to the side street where shead first met Torgo. The two buildings no longer bordered the service road. One side of the street was simply a mound of bricks and boards. They walked past the rubble. She watched two women hurry across the street with long coats pulled tightly around them to block the cold. Neither one of them looked their waya"unlike Gothman women who would eagerly welcome gossip about how the lordas claim looked good and pregnant.

aWe should organize a team to clean this up. These people need hope. Theyare not accustomed to being challenged with the hardships of battle, and I fear morale is low. This war wonat last forever, and the town will have to be rebuilt sooner or later. I think if we have a crew start on clean up now, self-esteem in the town will return to normal.a aNone of the men are here to do it,a Torgo pointed out.

aWhatas wrong with the women, and all of you young people too young to fight, doing it? Thereas no reason why you canat help. Youave nothing else to occupy your time since Darius closed the schools until further notice. Itall keep the kids out of trouble. And Iam sure the women want to help, too. That way, when the men do come home, they can focus on rebuilding.a aIam game, but I donat think many of the women around here would help. We arenat like you, Tara. If the men came home and found their women had been doing their work, I donat think theyad like it much, I donat.a Tara thought for a moment and then looked up smiling. aI have an idea, come on.a She walked quickly back to the jeep.

aWhat are you thinking?a Tara pulled out of the parking spot and headed toward the camps. Torgo held on as she bounced over the rough road. She looked at him and saw the excited look on his face as he realized where they were going.

aMy brother is going to be mad, he is.a He was still grinning.

aDonat you worry about your brother, I can handle him.a She drove in to the Blood Circle Clanas camp and slowed the jeep.

aIave never seen so many Runners,a Torgo almost whispered and watched people walking around him who were indifferent to his presence.

aTheyare people just like you.a She pulled up in front of Balboas trailer and got out of the jeep. She didnat see her brother, but his daughter came out and greeted her. Syra had fourteen winters and was of age to wear the full Runner clothing. The young girl bounced down the trailer steps to greet them, wearing her headscarf, which Tara guessed she had put on when she noticed she had company. Tara remembered reaching the age when she could finally don full Runner garb, and how anxious she had been to wear it at every opportunity.

Tara noticed the looks Torgo and Syra gave each other. They were the same age, and although she knew Torgo had not shown any interest in girls yet, he appeared to be appraising Taraas niece with interest.

aWhereas your papa, Syra?a aThey should be returning soon. I just got word from him.a The young girl shyly watched the boy in the jeep with eyes that appeared bright through her mask.

aWhere is he?a aHe went down to the front with the other men last night.a aIf he returns before I do, let him know I wish to talk to him, okay?a Tara got back into the jeep and headed to the battle site, which was also the same direction as Pathaas trailer. She got as far as the side of the trailer when she saw Patha and Darius riding their bikes toward her. She was delighted that she was able to see Darius while here. A week without him made her heart ache. Torgo, however, slouched down in his seat.

aYou are about to meet my papa, who is also the leader of this clan.a Tara looked at the boy as they pulled up in front of the trailer and climbed out of the jeep. aBe sure to show all signs of your warrior training, understand?a aYes.a He straightened.

aWhat in the world are you doing here?a Patha got off his bike and approached them with long strides.

aPatha, Iad like you to meet Torgo, younger brother of Lord Darius.a Tara ignored the question and instead offered the introduction.

There was a slight smile on Dariusa face as the young boy stood alert, did not smile, and saluted with all the signs of a great future Gothman warrior.

Patha acknowledged the salute and treated Torgo like a man by returning the salute, as he would one of his soldiers.

aIave come to recruit several young people to take care of some work I want done in town.a Tara looked from one man to the other.

aWhat work is that?a Darius dismounted his bike and reached Taraas side within the next second, pulling her into his arms.

aSeveral of the buildings downtown are nothing more than rubble.a aWhich buildings?a Darius frowned at the news.

Torgo looked as if he was ready to respond to the question, but a quick look from Tara reminded him of the training shead given him. A young warrior doesnat speak to a superior unless spoken to directly.

aThe building next to the grocery store is gone. Itall need to be rebuilt. The pride of the Gothman people in town has been affected, as is normal during war. If we show signs of preparing to rebuild, itall boost their spirits. They need to see that life as they knew it will return soon.a aThat doesnat sound like work for children,a Patha frowned.

aThe Gothman women wonat do such work. I want some of the young people too young for fighting to work. The schoolas been closed, and they need something to do. I need several Runner children, as well as Gothman children, to start hauling this rubble. Itall allow them to get to know each other. And if the Gothman girls are allowed to work also, it will help them start to learn how to work alongside men, doing the same task.a aCould you do this work?a Darius now addressed Torgo.

aYes, I could.a Torgo stood tall as he spoke.

aAnd what do you think the mamas of these children will say when you tell them you want their children to do a manas job?a Darius stroked Taraas arm as he held her firmly next to him.

aI know what I would like to tell them. Iave seen the kind of work these women do around the town. They could rebuild the buildings themselves with instruction. My first thought was to have the women do the work. It was Torgo who said they would fear what their claims would say when they returned. Thatas when I thought of the children.a *

aYou canat change the ways of a nation overnight, my lady. Whether they can do the work or not isnat the point.a Darius rested his chin on the top of Taraas head and moved his hand over her growing belly. She looked so pregnant. He was sure shead almost doubled in size in the one week since head last seen her.

There was a folding chair by the trailer, and he set it next to Tara. Placing his hand gently on her shoulder, he made it clear she was to sit. aThere are things in life that are simply viewed as menas work,a he said with a smile. aSome of them I donat believe youad argue with. They are part of your culture too, they are. Iave seen them now. A man will carry heavy items while the woman takes care of the children, yes. Your women may be warriors, but they donat mind the chivalry of a man.a Tara smiled and accepted the chair. aI still want the children.a aStubborn as they come,a Darius said to Patha, who nodded and walked into the trailer.

aThe town people wonat go for it, Tara.a aThey will if you tell them to.a aCould we ask your niece to help?a Torgo spoke up, forgetting about not speaking unless addressed.

aWhat?a Darius turned a foul expression on his younger brother.

aNothing.a Tara gave Torgo a sharp look. aThe people will do what you say, Darius.a She was not going to give up. aThey follow you blindly.a Darius turned from her and walked toward the jeep, deep in thought.

aItas true,a Tara said. aI mean n.o.body will even mention your brother Juro.a He couldnat believe she had just mentioned his dead brotheras name. There was a d.a.m.n good reason why he was never mentioned. No one would be allowed to question why his brother had died, giving Darius right to lead Gothman. He wouldnat have it.

He turned quickly as anger surged through him, then looked at Torgo and felt the emotion fade away. aFine. Iall issue the order.a Darius scrutinized Tara for a second. She still looked tired, but she was clean and there was more color in her face. Her eyes glowed, and she seemed pleased with her victory, but he was looking deeper. He wanted to see some type of satisfaction with her oncoming mamahood. He knew she loved the life of a warrior. Would she love the life of mamahood as well? He wanted her toadesperately. The thought of her raising their child kept him going in this dreary and tiresome war, a war he wished would end.

aWhenas your next doctoras visit?a aAs soon as I get home.a aGood. I expect a raving report.a He kissed her affectionately. aThe Sea People are showing signs of weakening. This war should be over soon, it should.a *

Tara was glad he approved her plan. She would have implemented it even if he had said no; shead already made her mind up about that. It wouldnat have been hard to tell the people head given a command. They wouldnat have found out otherwise, not until the deed had been done. But going behind Dariusa back wasnat how she wanted to do things. The two of them needed to be a team, not working against each other.

Balbo agreed to send his daughter to town; several other Runners also agreed to send their children. That was the easy part. Back in town, Tara took Torgoas suggestions on which houses to approach. The women who answered the doors were reluctant at first, but realizing it was an order, they also agreed. The next morning, the young people would meet downtown and begin work.

As far as Tara was concerned, approaching the Gothman women was the easy part of the day. Reenaas exam awaited her, and Tara didnat look forward to it. Driving back to the house, she felt tired and in need of a nap. It was not part of her nature to admit fatigue, and she kept her att.i.tude positive and cheery in an effort not to show it.

Reena was ready for her and scooted Torgo out of the house, telling him he could return after the exam ended, but she wouldnat have a man under the roof while examining a woman.

aNow then, I am going to see if your cervix is softening, I am.a Reena waited as Tara got comfortable on her bed and Hilda looked on.

The examination was uncomfortable but, regardless of what any doctor may say, thereas no way to examine female organs without some discomfort. Tara put all her attention into keeping her face expressionless. Shead handled gunshot wounds, broken bones and other injuries with dignity, but the unusual pressure she felt as Reena probed her with fingers made Tara want to yell and pull away.

Reena poked and prodded and pushed on Taraas tummy. She would stand back and look at Tara and then continue with the prodding.

aThatas interesting,a she said once. aWell, Iall be,a was another response.

Tara watched her and strained her neck to see what Reena was doing, although it was difficult with her big tummy in the way.

Finally, Reena stepped back and washed her hands.

Hilda handed Reena a dry towel and studied her friendas face, then turned and patted Taraas shoulder.

aDo you want anything, dear?a Reena asked.

aNo.a Tara put her legs together and then began to sit.

aStay there then. Iall be right back, I will.a Hilda followed Reena out of the room.

Tara strained to hear their words as they walked down the hall.

aWhy?a Hilda asked.

Tara thought she sounded irritated. Why what, Tara wondered, but all she could hear were the two women descending the stairs.

She must have drifted to sleep, because Tara awakened to the sound of voices in her room. But they sounded so far awayashe was content to ignore them. Slowly, she opened her eyes and was rather surprised to see Dr. Digo standing there looking at her with Reena and Hilda at his side.

aYou needed that sleep, didnat you, dear?a Reena smiled at her daughter.

aHow long was I out?a Tara tried to sit up, but a cramp slowed her down. This was something she experienced often. She didnat bat an eye at it, but slowed down until it had pa.s.sed and then relaxed again on her bed.

aDo you cramp often?a Dr. Digo put on a pair of sterile gloves and unloaded the contents of a bag onto her dresser.

aI guess so. I donat give it much thought.a He lifted a suitcase she hadnat noticed until then and opened it to display a portable landlink.

aHow can I help?a Reena looked at the foreign equipment.

aA bowl of very hot water might help. This ointment is always cold for some reason. It would be nice if we could warm it up.a Hilda quickly left the room before Reena could.

It was obvious she was bothered about something and that alerted Tara.

aWhatas going on, Doc?a aIam going to do a sonogram. Ever had one of those?a Tara allowed Reena to adjust the sheets so just Taraas protruding belly showed.

aNo, but Iave heard of them. Can you tell me if my baby is a boy or a girl?a Tara wasnat sure why Reena sent for Dr. Digo, but she thought both women looked a bit worried. aIs everything okay?a aIam sure all is fine, but weall take a look to make sure. If you want, while weare checking, we can tell if you are going to have a son or daughter.a He smiled at her and accepted the hot water as Hilda returned.

After plugging in cords to the machine, Dr. Digo spread the ointment over Taraas tummy. The women watched as he turned on the machine, then placed a flat disc attached by a bunch of chords to Taraas stomach.

aThat wonat hurt the baby, will it?a Hilda looked more nervous than a cat.

aGoodness, no, maaam.a Dr. Digo tried not to smile at the ignorance of the question. aLook at the monitor, and youall be able to see whatas inside Taraas uterus.a aFor heavenas sake,a Hilda breathed.

Tara couldnat tell if Hildaas response was a result of the extraordinary equipment or at the doctor mentioning a female reproductive organ so casually.

aI canat tell what Iam looking at.a Tara watched the movement of the black and white picture on the screen.

aYou were right,a Dr. Digo told Reena.

aI knew it.a Reena clapped her hands to her mouth.

aKnew what?a Tara looked at each adult hovering over her, confusion and fear settling hard in her gut. aIs everything okay?a It hadnat crossed her mind until that moment that anything could possibly go wrong with the pregnancy. Shead seen her fair share of pregnant women in the clan. Other than getting bigger, they never acted any different and continued with their lives just as before.

aIall tell you that in a minute. What I can say now is that Reena discovered you are carrying two babies.a aTwins?a Tara let her head drop to the pillow in disbelief. aAre you sure?a aCarrying two babies is a lot harder than carrying one.a Dr. Digo turned his attention to Reena and Hilda. aShe is going to need to keep her activities to a bare minimum from here on out.a aOh no! I canat do that.a Tara tried to sit up and cursed when her large belly stopped her, not only with its size, but with shooting pains that captured her breath momentarily.

Reena noticed the look of defiance shead grown accustomed to seeing. aNow we knowaand youall not go anywhere until these babies are born.a Reena let her daughter see where she got some of her stubbornness.

Tara opened her mouth to rebut.

Reena lifted her hand to make it final. aHer cervix is a lot thinner than I expected it to be. She shows all signs of a woman preparing for birth in a cycle. But Iam thinkina we donat want those babies coming before they are done.a Reena spoke to the doctor, but caressed her daughteras head, letting Tara hear the reality of what could happen if she disobeyed this order to rest. Reena might be conferring with the doctor, but she still watched him warily. She wasnat comfortable with the idea of a man giving her daughter such a personal examination.

aWell, these babies are not ready to be born yet. We need to do everything we can to keep them in her for at least another cycle and a half. The longer, the better. I donat have very good equipment to handle premature babies.a Dr. Digo leaned back against the dresser, aware of the fact that he would not be able to do an internal exam with the two old ladies present. aTara, youare not going to like this, but I want you to stay in bed as much as you can. If you move out of that bed, it should be to a chair. Do as little walking as possible. The more you move, the more those babies will move around in you, and the thinner that cervix will get. Now they havenat turned yet, and thatas a good sign.a *

Tara lay on the bed, not quite willing to let it all sink in. Everything had been fine this morning, and now her body was on red alert. Sitting still was not something she did well. She was glad to hear the babies were okay, but staying put for the next cycle and a half? She wasnat sure she could do it.

Dr. Digo told them one of her babies was a boy, but he said the other was being bashful and he couldnat tell its s.e.x. As Dr. Digo packed up, the women stood anxiously watching him and helping to organize his things. Tara could tell they couldnat wait to get out of the room and share the most exciting piece of gossip theyad come by in quite awhile. She was sure every soul in town would know before the day was out. She also knew they would not leave the room before the doctor did, for it simply wouldnat be proper for the man to be in her bedroom unattended.

After a.s.suring all three parties she would stay put and call if she needed anything, Tara found herself alone. She slowly got up and moved over to her desk where all her landlink equipment sat. The homing device was surprisingly still on the back of Dariusa neck, and she was able to locate him without difficulty. He was at Pathaas trailer. She reached for her comm to see if head respond. aDarius?a No answer.

She resorted to the landlink and sent him a message to see if he was on one of the transmissions.

Patha answered the message and told her Darius was in the shower.

She told her papa to send him to her at once indicating it was very important. She could not go through this pregnancy alone and needed to talk to him personally.

Patha said he would send him.

Tara logged off the landlink. She stared out the window, not seeing the beautiful view for the first time. Shead grown accustomed to the thought of having a baby to raise by the New Winter, which was still two cycles away. She was familiar with the amount of work involved. Shead helped with the younger children in her clan as she grew up. But two babiesadouble the workashead not once entertained that thought. It was so overwhelming. Suddenly, she was scared of parenthood all over again.

She needed to hear Darius tell her head help her with the babies. Shead known in her mind all along that when the baby came shead do most of the raising. The thought hadnat actually bothered her too much. He would rule the nation with her guidance, and she would raise the child with his guidance. By the time she became ruler of the Runner clans, this child, uh, children would be much older.

Now, with two babies, she needed to know he would help feed them, change them, and get up when they cried at night. But she didnat want anyone else to a.s.sume responsibility of her armies. Tara had worked hard to gain Pathaas respecta"her papaas respecta"so that he would give her all the responsibility she now had. Her days already were full with overseeing all the commanders, not to mention the tasks that she would need to undertake once this war ended. How could she possibly handle working all day with her clan and being the mama to two babies? Tara let her thoughts absorb her and after a bit laid her head down on the desk and started to cry.

aTara?a Tara lifted her head at the sound of his voice and smiled at Darius, then wiped her eyes to clear her blurred vision.

aIam so glad youare here,a she whispered and pushed herself to her feet before falling into his arms when he moved across the room. aIave just found out that weare going to have twins, Darius. How are we going to handle two babies?a aWeare going to have twins?a Darius sounded pleased.

Tara looked up at him and frowned. aThat isnat good news,a Tara said and pushed away. aThat means twice as much work. Iave got responsibilities, and so do you. How will we handle twins?a aTogether, my lady.a Darius pulled her to him again. aWe will handle them together. Iam not that ignorant to the raising of a child, you know. You forget that Torgo came along when I was old enough to help, he did. Papa didnat have much of a hand in raising him, but I did.a aYou helped with Torgo when he was a baby?a Taraas voice cracked through her tears, and she walked over to her dresser and pulled out one of her handkerchiefs, then blew her nose.

aYes, my Lady. My papa wasnat around too much, and the lad often put my mama at her witas end.a Darius sat on her bed, and patted the spot next to him. aI know my share about changing diapers and feeding time, I do. You and I will do just fine, we will.a Tara smiled and hugged him. The man said exactly what she needed to hear, and now she felt like crying again, because she was so lucky to have him.

aIt doesnat seem right that it takes two people to make the baby,a he stroked her blotchy cheeks, smiling gently, abut just one is expected to raise the baby.a aI canat believe you just said that,a she whispered as he pulled her close. aDo you really mean that?a aHaving you in my life has brought out what I already believed in my soul, it has.a He pulled away far enough to be able to look deep into her eyes with those penetrating gray ones of his. aWe canat have you all upset like this, now can we? Youall rest now, you will.a Had he truly meant all those things head just said? She knew only time would tella"and she hated that she would have to wait and see Darius in action to find out if he spoke the truth.

Darius smiled to himself as he closed her bedroom door. Head calmed her and appeased her worries nicely, he told himself. They would need to hire servants, especially with twins. He thought about some of the pretty young Gothman women head noticed over the past few cycles.

There were several that were exceptionally enticing that brought food and other services to the Gothman warriors out on the battlefield. Head declined their offers. After all, he had just claimed a woman of his own. And, there was no way he would risk the union of Gothman and the Runners by enjoying the pleasures of a wh.o.r.e. No, it would be better to hire plain-looking servants to help with the children after they were born.