“It’s only until first bloodis drawn.”
Michio entered the kitchen. He’dchanged out of his flight suit and into a shirt and slacks. “Youtwo should be careful what you eat after fasting for a few days.”
Erling mischievously turned toToemeka. “How angry is Mich with me for taking you on a mission? AmI going to have to fight two duels?”
“I’m not planning on callingyou out, but I will if it happens again,” Michio kidded back.Growing serious he asked, “What other duel are you referring to?”
“Zanton challenged me to aduel.”
Michio cocked an eyebrow. “Aduel? That’s unusual these days.”
“Apparently not in Haklute.”
“They’re fighting withBorithon swords,” Toemeka inserted.
Michio frowned thoughtfully.“I’ve heard of them. They’re dangerous weapons. A novice wouldhave a difficult time using them to full advantage. I take it youagreed to fight him.”
“I’d look like a coward if Irefused.”
“Better a coward than dead,”Michio said.
“It’s only until first bloodis drawn. Besides, I’m a skilled swordsman. Toe and I used to fencea lot. She’s skilled too.”
Michio glanced at Toemeka. “Ididn’t know you fenced.” His frown deepened with concern. “Issomething wrong? You look pale.”
“I’m not feeling well. Ithink I’ll lie down.” When she rose the room began to spin. Shefelt herself falling as darkness closed over her.
Michio waited in the den withErling while Dr. Tenzing examined Toemeka. He paced, worried abouther fainting and hoping she and the baby were okay. He hadn’trealized how tired she was and felt awful that he hadn’t been morepatient and understanding. It was difficult to be detached when shewas so precious to him; he didn’t want anything to happen to her.Pregnant women shouldn’t have to fight wars. It was his place toprotect her and their future child and he’d let her down by leavingfor the monastery to get further training. He should have foreseensomething might cause her to go back on active duty. He’d knownwhen he’d married her that she was used to taking risks as adedicated Coalition agent, but she was pregnant! Why would she takesuch a risk?
“Mich, will you stop pacing andsit down?” Erling said. “I’m sure Toe’s fine.”
“She said she’s hardly eatenor slept while on the mission. That can’t be good for a pregnantwoman.”
“She slept some in the jungleand on the ship flying here. And she ate some fruit we found in thejungle. She’ll be fine.”
Michio sat down in an armchairacross from Erling, but he jumped back up when Dr. Tenzing enteredthe room.
Dr. Tenzing’s white hair andeyebrows had become usually bushy with age and Michio wondered if hewas too old to give Toemeka the best care. He’d worked for theroyal Marsindi family when Koriann was a child. Now that she wasQueen, he served in that capacity again.
“How’s Toemeka?” Michioasked. He’d been reluctant to leave her, even when Dr. Tenzingasked him to step out of the bedroom so he could examine her.
“She’s fine.” His voice wascalm and reassuring. “It’s not uncommon for pregnant women tofaint. She’s physically and emotionally exhausted from her missionand just needs to rest for a few days. Avoid discussing anythingdistressing; her nerves are frayed.”
“It won’t be easy to keep herin bed.”
“She could lose the child ifshe doesn’t allow herself time to recover, but don’t tell herthat. It will just upset her and that’s what I want to avoid. I’llcheck on her in the morning. You can go see Toemeka now; she’swaiting for you. Good night.”
“Thank you,” Michio said asDr. Tenzing left the den.
“I wouldn’t have let her comeon the mission if I’d known she was pregnant,” Erling said.
“Even if you didn’t know shewas pregnant, you should have ordered her to stay. She’d just beenshot by a sniper!”
“It wasn’t a serious woundand she was the only agent available. We’ve been partners for yearsand we’re a good team. If I’d gone alone, I would have beenkilled. She broke me out of my prison cell, dragging me out of therewhen I’d been beaten up so badly I could barely stand.”
“You put the mission aboveToemeka’s life,” Michio said, still upset with Erling. “Butthat doesn’t explain why sheput the mission above her baby.”
“She didn’t put the missionabove the baby. She’s a dedicated agent and knew the mission wastoo dangerous for one person alone. Toe and I watch out for eachother.”
Michio deliberately stepped intoErling’s space. “She’s not your partner anymore, so don’tdrag her into anything else.”
Erling raised his hands in mocksurrender. “I won’t. Ah Mich, I know you’re angry with me, butI was wondering if you’d be willing to serve as my secondtomorrow?”
“You can’t be serious aboutdueling.”
“It’s just some sort ofritualistic thing so Zanton can restore his honor.”
“You can’t be sure he isn’tplanning to kill you.” Michio thought of refusing, but thenrealized he might be able to stop the duel if he was there. “If youinsist on going through with this, I’ll do it. When is the fight?”
“At dawn tomorrow by theocean.”
“I’ll come to your room justbefore dawn.”
Michio headed down the hallwayand entered Toemeka’s bedroom. She sat in bed with a tray on herlap, eating a bowl of soup. She wore a low-cut nightgown and henoticed her breasts were fuller, probably because she was pregnant.
“How are you feeling?” heasked. He kissed her pale cheek and sat on a chair by the bed.
“Much better. I’ve neverfainted before. It was weird, one moment I was standing and the nextI blacked out.”
“It’s fortunate that I caughtyou or you might have hit your head.” He noticed the bandage on hershoulder where she was shot by the sniper. “How’s your shoulderwound?”
“Sore.”
He closed the window against thewind, dulling the sound of waves crashing on the shoreline.
“What did the doctor say?”she asked. “Is the baby all right?” Her dark eyes were wide withworry.
“You’re both fine, but youhave to take care of yourself. Dr. Tenzing said you need to rest forfew days. I want you to promise to stay away from any more missionswhile you’re pregnant.”
A pretty frown wrinkled her brow.“It’s hard to promise when I don’t know what’s going tohappen in the next six-and-a-half months.”
“Toemeka! You
