Page 64 of Nixx
It is already three days that we are in the camp of the Middle Lands. Three days since we suffered the attack of the gortachs. The camp reorganized itself quickly. In beautiful cooperation, the men repaired and built the destroyed light structures, the showers in particular.
Since that day, Erians have been coming to me for various medical problems and I am assisted by Polly who listens to my explanations with great attention. I am happy to share my knowledge with her. When I leave, she will be able to take care of some simple treatments.
We also spend a lot of time with Eleny, Zakk's wife, where Nixx and I sleep every night.
Hugg suddenly lands abruptly in front of me. His face is marked by anguish.
My heart is failing and my first thought is for Nixx. Something has happened to my beautiful angel!
“Sarah, quickly, I need you.”
I quickly grab my medical bag and look at him.
“Who is it?”
“Mery . . . her water broke!”
Oops, Mery, Lokk's sister. But I'm not a midwife!
“Hugg, maybe you should contact the person in charge of deliveries in the area. I remind you that I am not Eriane and I have never attended a birth. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can be of much help to Mery.”
“Mery doesn't want anyone else. She asked for you. I'm taking you to her.”
And without further ado, Hugg grabs me and takes me a few flights away, in front of the tent he shares with Mery. As I enter the tent, I meet Lokk's anxious look.
“Everything is going to be fine!” I tell them with conviction . . . even though I don't have a clue.
I enter the tent to find a sweaty Mery lying down with her face scrunched up in pain. I grab my tablet and reread the notes I took from Holly at the West Bastion. Except for the length of the pregnancy, six to seven months, the rest is pretty much the same.
I open the birthing folder on my tablet.
Come on girl, don't chicken out, you can do it! Mery needs you. And Mery is Lokk's sister. They are all counting on you. You can do it!
First of all, I have to check the dilation of the cervix. Mery's contractions are regular and the dilation of the cervix to five centimeters confirms to me that everything is going well for the moment.
In a few minutes, I'm dripping with sweat; it's hot as hell in this tent. While all the tents in the camp are open, this one is closed on all sides.
I step out of the room and find myself face-to-face with Hugg, Lokk, and Nixx. Hugg rushes towards me:
“Is there a problem? With Mery? With the baby?”
“Yes, there is a problem, but not with Mery nor with the baby,” I answer him. “We are dying of heat down there. There is no air. I want two openings to let the air circulate. We'll be here for a while. I want Mery to feel comfortable and not have to worry about anything other than bringing her baby into the world.”
“Any openings? Okay . . . uh . . . if you want.”
“Just put screens in front of it if that's your concern. And then I want clean linens and basins of water. And if you could find me Polly too . . .”
As soon as I give my instructions, Lokk and Nixx take off, returning quickly, one with Polly, the other with screens. Then Hugg helps me to lift the tent flaps. A draft finally enters the room where Mery gasps with pain.
The hour turns slowly. Mery is very brave and has agreed with great openness to change her position regularly, to stand up and take a few steps now and then. I suggested that she bring Hugg in to comfort her, but she was shocked by my suggestion and firmly refused.
Easy on the proposals, girl! Some changes, why not? But the presence of the father? Obviously not!
With the cervix almost fully dilated now, the contractions are more intense and closer together. The case will be over in less than an hour now, according to my findings. I review my notes on my tablet.
A sudden rush of anxiety seizes me. How pretentious I am! I’m not a midwife, I’m not Eriane, I’ve never even delivered a baby, and here I am acting like I know what I'm doing. I have to pull myself together, this is not the time to flinch.
