Nightmare in Red

[Junco]

Frostfawn Hold
61 Summer 516AV

It was like watching one of his kills die. He had never really seen a death like this up close. He always waited in the trees, in the shadows, another arrow knocked and ready if his kill moved again. He had seen his kills gutted, skinned, flayed, but he'd never seen then gushing, he had never seen them turn red with such force. So here he was frozen... in shock... in rage... in complete and utter misery because he was watching his family die.

His mother was yelling, his sister was crying in the corner, his brother was screaming even louder and his grandfather and father, like him, were standing still, immobile, unthinking, useless, staring as his sister in law bled in her bed.

Something bad had happened and no one knew quite what. Aumber had been sleeping and then awoke with a sudden and excruciating pain. She had been complaining of lower back pain for a good few days now, though no one, including her, had thought anything of it. Perhaps she was unused to the extra weight of her unborn child, although she defensively argued that she hadn't gained that much, which was true, she was only 13 weeks pregnant.

Aumber, sobbing helplessly in her bed, holding herself as if she was trying to keep the blood in as it soaked the sheets and dripped down the legs of the bed. It was his mother that snapped him out of his fright. "Talon!" She had screamed, his hunting name, a name he paid more attention to, it seemed than his normal one. A name that was almost always used during events that required extreme attention and focus, during his hunts as he stalked and killed prey. The use of it within his normally calm hold frightened him even more, though it also made his realize the severity of the situation and his obligation to help.

He jumped into action, as did his father as Junco's mother called him by his second name as well. Along with his brother the three men hoisted bleeding Aumber up in their arms, keeping her horizontal, as if on an invisible cot. Junco's mother quickly draped a clean blanket over Aumber, hiding her gore slightly from those who may see. The men then rushed, though aware of the pain Aumber was in, outside of the safety of Frostfawn hold. They needed to go to Whitevine. No one here could save Aumber. They needed a healer.

As they rushed through Avanthal people stared although did not ask. A few questioned his mother, she quickly and ferociously waved them away along with their offers to help. More people would slow them down. The rest of Junco's family followed close behind. His mother trailing close behind Aumber and the men, his grandfather holding the hand of still crying Danila, who, for some reason, they did not leave at home. They were a family, and if Aumber was going to die, everyone would be there to say goodbye.

[Junco]

They rushed her into Whitevine Hold. It was faster than going into the middle of the city. Immediately people were by their side. The Whitevines knew something was wrong, it was so obviously clear. But they also knew how to help. Junco could hear one screaming "Doctor! Doctor!" While another sprinted away from the group, only to return a second later with clean towels which the woman immediately pressed against Aumber's wound. Did that woman know what she was doing?

It was only a half a chime or so before a Doctor arrived and hurried the entire family into a very nearby room. It was clean and smelled of lye. Junco scrunched his noise absently, his body taking over for what his mind was too preoccupied to realize. Aumber was placed on a cot, a bare one that seemed uncomfortable for a person in her position.

The doctor was a small Vantha woman, her mark of Morwen shining brightly on her quickly moving palm. Another mark was more noticeable, as it blossomed dainty on the curve of her neck. It was a white and purple lily, only one flower, but it bloomed magnificently. Junco wasn't quite sure what it was and he simply assumed it was a tattoo of some sort. The woman must love lilys.

Another taller, though younger looking Vantha entered the room in a rush. Her long brown hair glowing with purple swishing in her face before she pulled it back swiftly and into a grasp. She formed her hair into a bun as the Doctor wore hers and she instantly began to aid the tattooed woman.

Junco didn't realize at first until the doctor's assistant's eyes met his that the young girl was Grace Whitevine. The very same woman who had caught his eye at the Red Diamond Tavern only days ago during the Storm. He was shocked to see the calm woman he had talked with before, here now, quiet and immensely serious. Her presence, somehow, comforted him. He was still insanely worried and stressed, but now he trusted in the effort put into the care.

[Junco]

"Everyone should leave, please give the patient some space." The doctor looked up at the Frostfawn family, they were all huddled close together. Silent tears were streaming down Danila and Hembr's face. Jedia and Toweun were stark and unwaveringly serious. Jedia clutched Danila's shoulders while her grandfather held one soft hand. Junco and his father, Leam were in a shock. Their faces were blank and unreadable.

"Aumber, her name is Aumber." Hembrs voice broke the silence of the family. It was shaky, but loud and determined. Juncos head snapped to his brothers face, wet with sadness and worry. They were all thinking it. But no one wanted to say.

The doctor looked at the frightened husband. "Aumber needs her space. Please. I will come for you when she is stable." The small Vantha pleaded politely But Hembr did not move and inch, his brother just as still beside him.

Jedia, though, tugged on Danilas free hand and led her youngest child out of the room. Toweun trailed after them, unwilling to let go of the child's hand. Their father clapped a soft, but firm, hand on the boys shoulders, looking at their solid faces, but the boys did not move. Leam left then, following his own father and wife. The boys stayed behind. Junco would not leave a member of his family in their time of need nor would he let his own brother face this devastating tragedy alone.

Grace looked at the pair as did the doctor. Just as the doctor was about to protest, Grace placed a quiet hand on her working arm and whispered a couple words in her ear. Junco did not know what she said to her superior, but the doctor stopped her objection and decided to ignore their presence instead. She continued working on Aumber.

Aumber herself was plastered to the cot, sweaty and crying. Blood was still seeping out of her wound and Junco tried not to look. The doctor was messing around down there, removing the fabric that covered her so she could get a better look at the damage. Grace had dampened a warm towel and was sponging Aumber's face with a careful gentleness. Junco clenched his fists. They were all thinking it. But no one wanted to say. He wanted to leave the question open. Maybe Morwen would grant them a miracle. 'Was the baby alive?'

[Junco]

It was so many grueling chimes of hushed whispers between doctor and assistant. Soft cries and moans from Aumber and rigid silence from Junco and the mourning husband. Junco was no longer sure how long the group had been in Whitevine Hold, nor did he know how the rest of his family was faring inside. The hunter was supposed to leave this afternoon for a quick hunt outside the city walls. It was only supposed to last the day, a quick shove out to a nearby elk herd that was passing. He wondered if his group had let without him. He wouldn't blame them, providing for the city was their duty. Though he was sure all of his Hold had heard about the commotion this morning.

He wondered how Hembr would feel about this private business being so public. It was the way of Avanthal and so it would not be new or surprising to learn of the publicity. But with this, he hoped his fellow hold members would not press to hard or spout their knowledge too loud.

As time passed the spreading red from Aumber slowed and dulled. Her cries got quieter and her moans farther apart. She seemed to be getting better. The doctor seemed less rushed and Grace was still dutifully fluttering around the women, taking care of washing Aumber's face, or handing the doctor the right tool at the right time.

Every once in a while the doctor would whisper at Grace, pointing at specific parts of Aumber. Junco realized Grace was being taught, she was still a student.That was why she was dampening towels and acting as a third and fourth hand, rather than doing any actual medicine herself.

After what felt like days the doctor rinsed her hands in a lye infuded bucket of water then grabbed a clean towel to dry herself off. Grace stood by Aumber side, who was now breathing heavily on the cot, eyes closed and scrunched. "She is stable now, you can talk to her if you want and your family can return."

Junco sighed an audible reflief and went to go open to door to let their family back in, but Hembr stopped him with an arm across his chest. Junco stopped immediately, looking at his brother. Hembr's face was extremely serious.