Kavala was focused on Dhanya completely. Not only was she reading her body's signs but she was reading her moods as well. When there was pain, Kavala watched it but didn't try to manage it. She was the type of healer that soothed only the very old and the very young when it came to pain. Otherwise, she let nature take its course knowing full well that pain was there for a purpose and one she didn't want to hinder.
She checked the kelvics progress again. She was dilating nicely and a baby would soon be crowning.
"I don't know about the timeframe, Dhayna. The problem is some kelvics might follow the gestational rules of their animal forms while others might follow human gestation. I just don't know enough or have had enough experience watching multiple kelvic pregnancies from start to finish. We'll know more when you deliver, and if there's a problem we'll take care of it then. Lets just make sure there's not one before, alright?" Kavala said, stroking the Kelvic's forehead, pushing wet hair off her face.
"You are doing really well. It's important to relax. Aweston is boiling water if we need it and we have a birthing kit ready so if we need any tools. Generally though, kelvics can birth better than almost anyone I've seen. I don't think you'll be any different. Your strong and fit. And willful. That's always important." Kavala said gently, meaning her words as a compliment.
Kavala gently rubbed the woman's stomach and her back, carefully continuously touching her trying to ease her pain and keep her calm while the birthing process was continuing. It also helped because once the woman grew used to her touch, Kavala could resort to simply feeling for her progress rather than looking thus keeping her head above the level of the water in the tub. Another helper, a strange woman who looked Akalak but also Konti, came bustling in with pillows which she pressed behind Pygmy's back directly into the water to support her. Then she dropped off a pitcher of water and a glass. Kavala thanked her then poured the kelvic some water.
"You might need this. Children come into the world with their mother's screaming. And they get used to it each time they scare us or worry us as they grow... but all the screaming is thirsty work, you know?" She said, placing the glass well within Dhayna's reach and clearly showing the twinkle in her eyes that indicated she was joking... mostly.
Kavala continued her ministrations, knowing that the birth would progress faster soon. Kelvics were notoriously easy birthers. It was one of the reasons the Akalak imported them.
Dhanya's question threw Kavala a bit. Then she smiled slightly, tilted her head, and didn't consider it prying at all.
"I'm pregnant now, in fact. Not as far along as you, of course, but its still an honor for me to have an Akalak son. I was born out on the Sea of Grass in the Denusk Pavilion. My mother was a Konti healer who came out to the grass on a Call. There was an illness in the Drykas horses. An epidemic. She married my father who lead his pavilion during the course of his work. I grew up there, but never felt quite like I fit in. I know now it was because I lived so far from the Sea. The Konti should never be away from the Sea. Regardless, I went to Mura after my mother's death to study medicine and healing. On my way home, I was almost there when my horse was brought down by slavers. They locked me in a cage and drove me with other women towards a place they could trade me to Zith. It was not a very pleasant experience." Kavala said, leaving a lot unsaid. But the Kelvic could tell - most knew - rape, torture, starvation just to name a few abuses.
"I would have died out there if an Akalak raiding party hadn't come along and killed them. I've lived in Riverfall since. And I can tell you there's not a more noble race out there. I owe them my life. And they gave me the world. I fell in love with one of them - his name is Hatot. Being with him has healed a great deal of the pain and damage the slavers did. Without him I don't think I would be the same... nor near as happy. And now I carry his child. And because my childs father is an amazing man, I will be able to raise my son or daughter and be a deep part of their life." Kavala said softly, her heart in her eyes.
"The Akalak are thought of as monsters in a lot of circles, but they really aren't, Dhanya. Ravok breeds your fellow kelvics like crazy - cruelly. They throw away your people if they don't have a big strong animal form. The rabbits and sparrows and small wonderous creatures are fed to the larger ones that will fight in pits. But the ones that fight in pits never get out. Often they live their whole lives in those pits and don't know anything but pain and violence. The Akalak quietly buy the excess women. They ship them here to Riverfall and give them homes. The whole city is overrun with kelvics. They feed them, give them shelter, care for them, and then in return they quietly ask them to bear them sons so the Akalaks as a race can survive. I can only imagine how hard it is for them to have to ask. And your people... they can carry an Akalak child to term easily. Birthing is normally not an issue. When a human woman births an Akalak, it generally kills her. And that's twice as cruel when the Father has feelings for the mother, so they rarely do it. They would ask Konti women to bear them more sons, but we also bear daughters from their seed - daughters that are wholly Konti and not at all Akalak. So with us its a risk. Your people, though, save the Akalak daily." Kavala stroked Dhanya's face and brushed her hair yet again out of her eyes.
"To outsiders it seems cruel. But the Akalak save Kelvic lives and regard them as a miracle." Kavala said softly, solidly. It was odd, how both women were calm enough to have such a conversation, as if they shopping or dining casually. They didn't seem worried, concerned, or overly excited. At least Kavala wasn't. Dhanya was in great shape, the baby seemed fine, and all was well - so far. Miraculous, truth be told.
But speaking of miracles, a contraction hit the kelvic abruptly and Kavala stiffened, her hands on Dhanya's belly. She checked once more visually, and then smiled.
"It's time. You're baby is going to put in an appearance. Breath deeply and when you exhale, push. It's okay to right now... inhale, hold it a moment, then exhale and push..." Kavala gently coaxed, remaining calm as the first child born in Sanctuary struggled its way towards the world outside its mother's womb.
