Mero pulled the hood of her cloak closer to her face. She’d known the winters in Zena would be bitter, but even the seasoned locals talked about this being the worst. So many had never seen anything like this so when the petite midwife stepped outside, satchel of supplies on her arm, she was nearly rocked back. The sheer force of the brutal wind was enough to tear through her layers and strip her bare before the elements.

It was atrocious outside, but not so bad as to keep her from stopping. Every step felt heavier than the last and at one point the healer had to use magic just to shield her from the wind. The night was starting to settle in, leaving her with little in the way of warmth and the longer she stared down the barrel of the street the more she realized how harsh this winter was. Even in the darkest of night there were still a few souls milling about – usually skittering from tavern to tavern – but out nevertheless. Now? There was no one. She took a deep breath and pressed on.

Step after step Mero walked. Her polished boots left little indentations in the snow that were quickly covered with the next wind. By the time her quarry came into view she was exhausted, but Mero couldn’t let it show. Instead, she buffeted the shield around her, fixed her hair and let the hood fall before knocking.

Inside this little ramshackle home on the edge of Zidel lived the Falken family. A father, his darling wife, and their three young sons. They didn’t have much in the way of funds, but the order kept an eye on Mrs. Falken. She was prone to illness and pregnancy had a way of stressing the body under the best of conditions, let alone when it was already so frail. With this weather...Well, the midwives had been worried for her and Mero volunteered to brave the storm to sit with them through the night. The babe was dude to come anytime now and if the storm worsened....

That was a thought best not entertained.

“Papa! The midwife came back!” Little Jory answered the door and Mero smiled down at his toothless grin. The Zenan lad rocked back on his heels, a shiver running through him as her shield dropped and he hurriedly shut the door behind her. Mero felt the loss of power in her bones. You’ll need to rest up after this. As much as one could, anyway. Zenans had a way of spending time with their spouses in the winter that left plenty of work for her in the spring.

Yori Falken came into the sitting area with a pinched look and a soft smile. It was the same look he often wore whenever his wife was expecting or so Mero had been told. For as much as the pair loved their growing brood they were never blind to Iona’s health. “I didn’t think I’d be seeing so soon. Kind of thought the storm might keep you away.”

“We’re made of tougher stalk in Sauti, Mr. Falken. “ Her smile seemed to soften him and when he motioned toward the fire she came up to it easily. “How is Iona?”

“Sleeping, else I’d take ya to her. She’s been well, but tired. Complained of a pain in her lower belly which after what happened last time...” He motioned to the toddler fast asleep on a pallet by the warmth. “I was worried we might have a repeat.”

“That’s why I came; to make sure she had care. I’d hate to think of something happening if you were caught.” Who knew if Yori would even make it to finding help in this weather or if Iona would survive his absence? No, it was best for Mero to hunker down here for the night, even if she wasn’t needed. The last thing she wanted to do was deliver a baby in a winter storm anyway.

“I made that for you; so you could be warm tonight but Gryff had other ideas.” Yori moved forward, bending at the knee as if to wake the toddler but Mero reached out to put a hand on his elbow.

“Don’t; I’m fine. I can sit in a chair all night as long as I’m warm. You, though, should go to sleep.” The poor man looked ready to fall over.

He looked to her and nodded, briefly put off by the whirl of air outside. Yori shuddered and pointed toward the pallet anyway. “Just...move him over if you get tired? He’s a cuddler, but he’ll not wake up for anything.”

[779]