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Birth of a Covenant Legend: CHAPTER 3
Posted By: Ryst Airasee<RystAirasee0208@AOL.com>
Date: 26 January 2005, 4:54 AM
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CHAPTER 3
'Iskramee knelt beside his soulmate's bed, waiting as she slowly awakened. When he saw the beautiful black eyes open, he began speaking.
"The Rejuvenator has returned. I told him to wait until you awakened from you rest. Shall I allow him in?" the Sangheili asked.
'Lihamee turned her head, propping herself up on one elbow. The thin white robes she was dressed in rustled slightly. "Yes. I have yet to hold what will soon be my own child."
'Iskramee smiled, walking up to a small terminal by the door. It had only three small buttons, which glowed green, red, and blue and were arranged in a triangle-like formation. The Sangheili pressed the blue key, and the runes on the door changed from red to a soft purple. 'Gehumee walked in, cradling the egg to his chest.
"How did you fare?" 'Lihamee asked the Rejuvenator.
"Fine, mistress," 'Gehumee replied. "The Prophet of Truth seemed pleased."
The female Sangheili smiled, taking the egg carefully from him, running her hands over its smooth surface. 'Iskramee turned to face 'Gehumee.
"Thank you for your services," he said. "I will spread good words about you."
"I should thank you. For each new egg, there is a new meaning for me to live," 'Gehumee replied, then clicked his mandibles. "You probably don't understand. Anyways, before I leave, you should know that the egg will hatch in seven turns... exactly one cycle. I will return to aid you each turn."
The two Sangheili clasped hands. Then the Rejuvenator left. 'Lihamee sighed. "A cycle seems like an unbearable wait. How I have dreamt of my own child..."
"As have I," 'Iskramee grinned, kneeling next to her. "Fear not. The turns will pass quickly."
'Iskramee retired, falling heavily into one of the chairs by a small steel table, which sat next to his soulmate's bed. His eyelids drooped, but he would not allow himself to sleep until 'Lihamee herself had passed into slumber.
It didn't take long. Both Sangheili, exhausted by the stress and anxiety of the days, nodded off with ease.
* * *
The turns passed quickly, as twin suns rose above the horizon and set again. Most of the soulmates' days contained a seemingly endless amount of waiting; when 'Gehumee did visit, it was only brief. He had many other Covenant to tend to, and often came in looking out of breath or tired.
During the last turns of the cycle, changes in the egg became apparent. Its shell darkened and dried, becoming gray and rough. It was so fragile that it could not be moved anymore; and on the last day, the shell had darkened to pitch black and a gleaming coat of slime had fallen over it, apparently to protect the creature within.
"The coloration is abnormal," the Rejuvenator told them. "Never have I seen an egg darken so drastically. Still, it is probably nothing to worry about; the layer of gel will dry become something akin to webbing when the egg hatches."
"You're sure?" 'Lihamee asked.
"Yes. I didn't get assigned to this by making wild predictions or educated guesses. No, this egg is quite healthy."
Relieved, the female Sangheili fell back onto her bed. She had become incredibly restless after overcoming the weakness that followed a birthing, but was not allowed to get up yet. She needed her rest, or so they insisted.
"I have been assigned to stay with you until the newborn is out of the shell," 'Gehumee informed them. "It is to... make sure the hatching goes alright."
'Lihamee cocked her head, catching the hesitation in his voice. Rejuvenators were not usually called to oversee a hatching; the newborn practically all of it itself. If they were, there wouldn't be any left over to tend the sick or wounded. No, soulmates were usually left alone on the hatching turn.
Still, she dismissed it. If a Rejuvenator was near, it would ensure the health and safety of her child's first turn. She had no problems with that, and had taken a liking to having 'Gehumee around. He wasn't like other Rejuvenators, who grumbled about watching eggs all turn and always having to rush off in the middle. He seemed to enjoy each task, even if he sometimes had a hard time keeping up with them.
Smiling to herself at the thought, the female Sangheili settled back into her sheets, closing her eyes. She wanted to be rested and not seem dreary-eyed the time her child's eyes opened. It didn't take long before she fell asleep, leaving the two males in the room to discuss other things.
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