Coal eyed the three bandits. He snorted at their outrageous demands. "If you have to kill, or harm someone I ask it to be me." He pulled off his solid gold helm handing over to one of the bandits. "As a token of my trust please take this. That woman you held your sword to is pregnant."
Two of the bandits greedy reached for the helm.
The bandit leader, who once held a sword at her, glared. "You mean to tell me that woman is pregnant, yet you still plan to sacrifice her. What gives you religious zealots the right?"
Was that concern for me Eve thought? Her eyes watered. She lowered her fist. Was this man concerned for her? Didn't he just hold a sword to her. "Please listen Coal is not like that." Eve smiled.
The bandits yelled derogatory words at her.
The bandit leader screamed at his men. "Shut up!" He then turned to Eve, "Speak woman!"
"I choose to do this as no one else would. I stepped forward for the sake of my child's future. The precious one within me means everything," said Eve.
The bandit leader Snarled. "You believe in this."
"Yes, I believe. I believe so, I will prepare a future for my child at any cost." Eve responded determinedly.
The bandit leader glanced away. "Well, we bandits have to eat too. Feed us, and we will accompany you."
Coal nodded. "Very well, then. There is plenty for everyone."
Eve exhaled and her shoulders relaxed. She knew she wanted no part of their folly. Eve retreated into the only tent that existed. She laid down on the ground listening to the merrymaking of the bandits until it lured her to sleep.
In the morning, she woke when the tent flap opened. The bandit leader stepped in.
Eve screamed as her top half darted up. She pressed her arms close to her body.
"I did not mean to frighten you. Your breakfast is ready." The bandit leader handed Eve some bread.
Eve took the bread gently from his hand.
The bandit leader sat down. "Do you believe you are doing the right thing? Do you think you are being fair to your child? Your child deserves his mother! Where is the father? I am sure he would have stopped you."
"Dead," Eve whispered, "My husband is dead."
"Then why sacrifice yourself leaving no one to care for your child," said the bandit leader.
"I am so tired of everyone's judgments! Who else is there to be the sacrifice!? Tell me!?" She yelled at him. "Are you willing to die?"
The bandit leader stood, and abruptly spun around storming out of the tent.
Eve screamed after him, "I thought not!"
Coal entered the tent soon after. He watched her hesitantly as tears fell from Eve's eyes. She faced the ground. Her hands covered her eyes. "It's not fair."
Coal bent down. He rested his hand on her hunched frame "It is alright."
"I am tired of them! I faced nothing but opposition! You would think the other people would be happy, but they are still as miserable as ever! It is not them sacrificing themselves! It is not them giving up a life! I will never see my child! I will never hear his laughter! I will never see my babies' tears. When will it stop? My duty as a mother is to do what's best for my child."
Coal released her. "Dry your eyes, Eve. Try to understand where they are coming from." He removed his hand and faced the tent entrance before speaking again. "We leave in an hour. Get ready." He adventured away from the tent.
Eve glanced solemnly at the ground. Her hands rested firmly on her baby bump.
The Bandits gathered everything up. Two of the bandits helped Eve mount her horse. They journeyed half a day in the blazing sun until they came across a magnificent stone white temple. The pillars surrounding the temple stood taller than the building. Lush gardens of reds and purples laid through out the area. Above the entrance hung the deformed head of a Dai' lan'riku statue.
While admiring the temple, Eve's water broke. The horse moved slightly forward, leaving lose a disgruntled whinny.
Eve's hands clenched her stomach. The pain worked its way through her. She screamed.
Two of the bandits descended, their horses rushing to get her down from her horse. Coal dismounted his horse. He grabbed two items, a dragger, and a towel to wrap the baby with.
The two bandits helped Eve into the temple doors and laid her on the floor. Coal followed suit, entering the temple. He kneeled beside her with his knife ready. He cut away the garments around her stomach. With practiced provision, he gave her a c-section.
Eve barely had time to react to anything. Tears of agony slid down her face as she felt herself slip into unconsciousness.
Coal after several minutes extracted the baby. Holding it carefully, he picked up the towel wrapping the boy in it.
Eve could feel a creeping darkness. A sharp cry interrupted her thoughts, and she struggled to remain awake. Despite the blood gushing around her, Eve reached both of her arms out. Coal gave her the baby to hold for the first time and the last time. She held the baby gently, cuddling it. "His name is A'Ragnimio."