Upon waking to the sounds emanating from below, Alleyna slowly opened her eyes and surveyed her surroundings. As she gazed upon the room, she felt a sense of joy fill her heart when she saw her beloved husband slumbering serenely on the armchair next to her. Despite having borne witness to his ordeal for nine long months, she had been powerless to intervene. For Alleyna was herself enduring an interminable cycle of nightmares and escalating darkness. Hers was much different.
Having strong senses from birth, Alleyna perceived a distinctive quality within the chamber. Although the only source of illumination was a solitary candle resting atop a plain nightstand crafted from walnut wood, it was as if the interior of the room, if not the entirety of the mansion, was suffused with an immense spiritual energy. She noticed the figure standing beside her.
"Behold the source of the radiance," she murmured.
"How do you fare, Lady Alleyna Ilia Cahosse?" intoned the venerable sage, his voice as soft as the whisper of the wind, his countenance marked by a gentle smile.
The woman reciprocated his smile. None knew her middle name save her sister adn her husband, yet the old man did. A sense of relief washed over Alleyna at the sage's greeting. She lifted her head slightly and endeavored to sit up straight.
"I am better, revered sage," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your presence is a blessing. The gods have finally answered our prayers."
Elaphar placed his hand over his chest and offered his salutations.
"Take care not to overexert yourself, my lady. The most arduous trials yet await you."
"I am prepared," she lied, for although her fever had abated somewhat, her entire being was wracked with agony and pain that was truly excruciating.
She scanned the room with her anxious gaze, her comely features contorted with a tinge of bitterness and a hint of urgency.
"Where is Leandra? She should be here," she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Alas, your twin sister won't be present at the birth. Your devotion and loyalty to her are commendable, despite her actions," replied Elaphar, the esteemed sage, his tone gentle but firm.
"I implore you, do not punish Leandra. It was not her fault. That accursed man manipulated and brainwashed her. I beg for your mercy and forgiveness," pleaded the red-haired woman, her hands clasped together in supplication.
Her words came out faltering, barely audible.
"I did not come to mete out justice, my lady. My purpose is to witness the birth. The fates shall determine the destiny and punishment of your twin. I am merely present for the child and..." Elaphar trailed off, his voice subdued.
The elderly man fell silent and bowed his head. The woman looked slightly relieved but urged him to continue.
"And?" she inquired, raising her crimson eyebrows with her emerald gaze fixed on him.
Elaphar blushed like a child and continued hesitantly, "Unfortunately, it is highly probable that you shall not survive this birthing."
The woman bowed her head with solemn acquiescence. Then she gazed up at her slumbering husband, his countenance placid and serene.
"And what of Alex? Will he rise to the occasion?" she inquired, her voice laden with trepidation.
The ancient sage cast a fleeting glance at the sleeping knight.
"Only the gods can foresee that outcome. He has withstood the test of time, sturdy and resolute, though perhaps not to the extent of your unyielding spirit. He may yet prevail."
"And if he falters, who will safeguard our child?"
The sage hesitated before responding, for he understood that Alleyna's thoughts were fixed solely on the safety of those she cherished, without regard for her own well-being.
"I shall make the necessary arrangements, my lady," he eventually replied.
The woman shook her head in protest.
"I implore you, grant Leandra one final chance. I trust that she will provide the best care for my child."
Elaphar shook his head in dismay, not answering the woman's plea. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced the room, pausing occasionally to stroke his long chin beard. The rain outside intensified, and the darkness of the neglected woods surrounding the mansion grew more ominous. Lightning flashed in quick succession, heralding bad omens.
"Bad omens." he whispered.
A few moments later, the woman's piercing screams mixed with the thunderous lightning, filling the room and echoing throughout the mansion. Alex jumped out of his chair, awakened by a sudden pain in his leg, and groaned with agony as he tried to calm his beloved wife.
"This is just the beginning," the old sage muttered, his brows furrowed in concern. He slammed his staff on the ground and turned on his heels.
"Wise master? When did I come here? Has it begun?" cried Alex in a panic. The woman continued to moan loudly.
"Stay calm like a stone, Sir Alexander. I carried you here after you passed out. Yes, the labor has begun. Now, fetch us water and towels, for that is all we require," Elaphar commanded.
"And perhaps a little more prayer," the old man muttered as Alex rushed out of the room to follow his orders.
The sounds of agony, harbingers of imminent childbirth, were enough to stifle Alex's thoughts, which had just begun to stir after a brief slumber. He clenched his teeth and strove to conceal his concern. The old sage was his only hope.
Elaphar was engrossed in the birthing process, occasionally requesting a towel from Alex, which he dipped in the bucket of water, possibly heated by arcane means, and used to cleanse the blood-stained liquid before discarding it. Alex could do nothing but hold his wife's hand and reassure her with his presence. The woman's cries echoed throughout the chamber, unabated.
"Is this normal?" cried the weary man, finally succumbing to his anxiety.
"Nothing is normal today, Sir Alex. In truth, it would be more accurate to say that nothing has been normal in your household for the past year. The source of this cursed affliction dates back much further." Elaphar responded, without looking up from his work.
"What do you mean, venerable sage? Is it related to the cursed wound on my leg? Is this the work of the dark mage?"
The old man raised his head and fixed his gaze on Alex. The shadows that enshrouded the room became more distinct as he moved away from the task at hand.
Alex surveyed his surroundings, petrified with terror. He attempted to articulate his thoughts to the old sage, to bring his attention to the growing darkness. He now realized that they were besieged by unseen malevolent forces. His words were stifled in his throat. He had never been so frightened in his life. Standing beside Alleyna, he suddenly collapsed onto the bed. It was then that Alex barely noticed the dark shadows scurrying away as the old sage struck his staff forcefully on the ground. The wizard was their only hope, and even the malevolent forces seemed to fear him.
"I trust that you now see the wisdom in heeding my advice, Sir Alexander," chided Sage Sarcastic, his tone reproachful and impatient. "Complicated explanations can wait until after the birth."
As the old sage worked his magic, the oppressive shadows were dispelled by a radiant light, leaving Alex feeling a sense of relief and purification. Though he knew the darkness still lingered, he was grateful to have the skilled wizard by his side.
"Thank you, Wise Sarcastic," the retired knight trembled, his voice filled with gratitude. "It's as if Great Orion has finally heard our pleas and sent you to us."
Suddenly, the room fell silent, as if the world had paused. The rain ceased, the wind stilled, and the woman's cries of agony subsided into a trembling, uneasy silence. At that moment, Alex was torn between looking at his wife or the newborn child.
Then, at last, the cries of a healthy baby girl filled the room, and Elaphar emerged, beaming with pride. "A blessing from the heavens, Sir Alexander," he declared.
The old man placed the newborn in Alleyna's arms. The unconscious woman, her body limp and lifeless, suddenly stirred as if awoken from a deep slumber. It was as if a potent elixir had been administered, for the woman's pallor soon gave way to a rosy flush, and a radiant smile lit up her face.
If time itself had frozen, encapsulating this moment of pure bliss, Alex and Aleyna would cherish it for eternity. They exchanged knowing grins and gazed upon their progeny, savoring this idyllic moment that they had long yearned for.
"Allendra Cahosse," Alleyna whispered softly, and the plump and rosy-cheeked baby cooed in response. Meanwhile, Alex attended to the newborn with a tenderness and devotion that spoke volumes about his paternal instincts. With a soft, damp cloth, he gently cleansed the infant, his movements slow and deliberate as if he were performing a sacred ritual.
"We owe you our deepest gratitude, master," Alex said, his voice choked with emotion.
But the old sage's expression remained grim, his gaze fixed on the darkening sky outside the window. The clouds churned and roiled, gathering for a final act. The shadows in the grove shifted and writhed, drawing closer in a malevolent embrace. The gleaming eyes of the creatures of the night blinked open and closed, like hungry predators preparing to strike.
"The night is not yet over," the old man said, stroking his long beard thoughtfully. "The omens of evil still linger."
With his gnarled staff firmly in hand, Elaphar tapped the aged wooden floor, deep in thought. Abruptly, he spun around on his heel and strode purposefully towards Alleyna, who cradled her newborn daughter, her face contorted with pain.
The sage's gentle hand rested on Alleyna's forehead, feeling the heat radiating off her skin. Her fever had risen alarmingly, and she was barely holding on, desperate to nourish her newborn. Elaphar placed his other hand on Alleyna's belly, applying a gentle pressure. The woman let out a guttural moan, writhing in agony as the sage searched for any sign of what was causing her pain.