Chapter Twelve: Dark Reality

The months passed and the golden sun of Erial bathed the land with its light, announcing the passage of time each day. Inísel, who had been eagerly awaiting any sign of pregnancy, began to notice some twinges in her belly. These small pains, though annoying, filled her with hope. With each passing day, the possibility of being pregnant seemed more real. However, before telling Theodric, she decided she needed to be completely sure. One morning, with the sun just peeking over the horizon, she decided to visit the Sanigi of the temple for an official confirmation.

Accompanied by her dearest maid, Isra, she made her way to the medical section of the temple. The fresh morning air and the murmur of the city awakening around her gave her a sense of peace. However, her mind was full of thoughts and worries. As they walked through a hallway, they passed an outdoor courtyard where a group of guards was training with swords. Inísel, though always maintaining a distant and respectful attitude with the soldiers, couldn’t help but notice one of them who always seemed to show a special interest in her.

It was the same soldier as always, a tall, fair-skinned, and robust man named Kaelan, a name Inísel had discovered months ago. The young man smiled at her while talking to his companion, apart from the training the others were practicing. When they passed near Kaelan, Inísel noticed that they were speaking in the usual language of the three continents. The Valkúr understood perfectly what they were saying. Kaelan, with an admiring expression, was saying to his friend…

"I've been watching her for years and each time I find her more beautiful. In the Cardinals, there were no women like her. They were all thin and weak. When I was assigned here, they told me I would only find ugly women. But it's a blessing to see her every day. By Omnilum, she drives me crazy. Do you think I have any chance with her?"

His companion, an older man hardened by battles, shook his head.

"Kaelan, I didn't learn the usual language for you to talk about your love affairs. Besides, don’t even think about it. She is the Valkúr, the Shántruk will kill you if you lay a finger on her…”

Inísel, having heard Kaelan’s words, looked at him for a few seconds. She had to admit that the man was attractive, with his strong build and intense gaze. If it weren’t for the fact that she was married and didn’t want to have problems with her husband, she might have considered fleeting encounters with him. Theodric was her husband and, although he managed to satisfy her, Inísel felt that sometimes it wasn’t enough for her. Theodric was an older man, and as Inísel grew, she realized she had more needs than others for sexual relations.

Putting those thoughts aside, Inísel turned her attention back to the path. Along with Isra, they continued towards the healer’s medical room. The interior of the temple was an imposing building, with its high columns and walls decorated with reliefs of the gods of Erial. Upon reaching the Sanigi's room, the smell of herbs and the tranquil atmosphere gave her a sense of security.

The Sanigi greeted her with a smile and a bow of the head.

In kune: "Your Valkúr, estas honoro akcepti vin. Kiel mi povas helpi vin hodiaŭ? (Your Valkúr, it is an honor to receive you. How can I help you today?).”

Inísel, with a mix of determination and hope, explained her symptoms.

In kune: "Mi sentis kelkajn svingojn en mia ventro. Mi pensas, ke mi eble estas graveda, sed mi volas esti certa antaŭ ol diri al Your Shántruk (I’ve been feeling some twinges in my belly. I think I might be pregnant, but I want to be sure before telling Your Shántruk).”

The healer nodded understandingly and indicated to Inísel to lie down on a stretcher. Inísel obeyed, feeling the coldness of the linen against her skin as she reclined. The Sanigi, with expert hands and gentle movements, began to examine her.

The healer's hands moved with precision, palpating the lower areas of Inísel's abdomen, searching for any revealing signs of pregnancy. Her questions were delicate but direct, inquiring about the symptoms Inísel had experienced. Inísel responded honestly, describing the twinges and her conviction that something was growing inside her.

However, as the Sanigi continued her examination, her expression subtly changed to one of concern. Her touch became more meticulous, and her eyes narrowed, focusing on something she had noticed. Finally, she decided to examine more thoroughly, palpating Inísel's intimate areas with greater care.

In kune: "Via Valkúr, mi rimarkas ion strangan (Your Valkúr, I notice something strange)…," said the healer, her voice laden with seriousness. Leaning in, she deepened her exploration of Inísel's private areas, and there she felt, for a few seconds, a strange mass that seemed embedded in the tissue. The mass, as if aware it was detected, disappeared inside Inísel.

In kune: "Via Valkúr, ŝi ne estas graveda (Your Valkúr, you are not pregnant)…," declared the Sanigi with fear in her words, looking up to meet Inísel's eyes.

Inísel, surprised and bewildered, sat up slightly, her eyes full of doubt and concern.

In kune: "Sed mi sentas, ke io estas en mi. Kio povus esti se mi ne estas graveda? (But I feel that there is something inside me. What could it be if I am not pregnant?)" she asked, her voice calm despite her urgency and worry.

The healer took a moment to consider her response, her face reflecting deep fear.

In kune: "Mi pensas, ke li havas la ad vitium. Malofta kondiĉo suferita de kelkaj Eriaj virinoj. Estas stranga afero, kiu kontraŭas la herbojn, kiujn mi donis al li, kaj malhelpas lin malfreŝa. Ni havas tre malmulte da informoj pri la ad vitium, scion ke ni sukcesis savi de la Aelorians, sed mi scias tre malmulte pri ĝi (I think you have the ad vitium. A rare condition suffered by some women of Erial. It is something strange that counteracts the herbs I have been giving you and prevents you from becoming pregnant. We have very little information about the ad vitium, knowledge we managed to save from the Aelorians, but I know very little about it)," explained the Sanigi, her tone full of concern. In kune: "La Aelorians sukcesis elimini ad vitium per siaj magiaj kuracoj, sed bedaŭrinde, tiu scio estis perdita dum tempo. Kion la ad vitium signifas, ke la dioj ne volas, ke vi estu en stato. Mi ne povas, nek scias, kiel kontraŭdiri la planojn de la dioj, mi timas, ke mi ne povas helpi ŝin (The Aelorians managed to eliminate the ad vitium with their magical cures, but unfortunately, that knowledge was lost over time. What the ad vitium means is that the gods do not want you to be pregnant. I cannot, nor do I know how to contradict the plans of the gods, I am afraid I cannot help you)."

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Inísel felt a wave of frustration and fear. The possibility of a dark and magical influence within her body was terrifying.

In kune: "Atendu, kion mi havas en mi? (Wait, I have what inside me?)" The healer remained silent, her eyes filled with fear. Inísel immediately looked at her friend and maid, Isra. Her maid shared the same concern and bewilderment.

In kune: "Mi bedaŭras, Via Valkúr, sed via stato malhelpas vin povi gravediĝi. Kiom oni scias, ad vitium ne influas la sanon de la virino, kiu portas ĝin, do ne maltrankviliĝu. Ankaŭ, mi pensas, ke la pikoj, kiujn li sentis, estis ĉar la ad vitium kontraŭdiris la efikojn de la herboj, kiujn mi donis al li (I am sorry, Your Valkúr, but your condition prevents you from conceiving. As far as we know, the ad vitium does not affect the health of the woman who carries it, so do not worry. Also, I think the twinges you felt were because the ad vitium counteracted the effects of the herbs I gave you)."

Inísel remained silent for a few seconds. Making a quick decision, she asked the healer to keep this situation confidential.

In kune: "Sanigi, diru al neniu, ke mi ankoraŭ ne povas gravediĝi. Mia kondiĉo devas resti inter ni (Sanigi, do not tell anyone that I still cannot get pregnant. My condition must remain between us)," Inísel instructed, her voice firm to ensure the woman complied with her will.

The healer nodded solemnly, respecting her Valkúr's request. Inísel rose from the stretcher and, along with Isra, left the medical room. As they walked back to their quarters, Inísel's mind was tangled with thoughts and concerns. She felt a growing frustration and unease that she couldn't shake off.

The landscape around the temple seemed to blur as her thoughts revolved around the revelation. The healer's words echoed in her mind, creating an undertone of uncertainty and fear. Inísel knew she had to find a solution, but the presence of a dark and magical force complicated everything unimaginably.

As Inísel and Isra walked down the cold, dimly lit stone corridor, a dark figure remained hidden in the shadows. The figure had been spying on the Valkúr, listening intently to every word spoken in the healer’s room. As the Valkúr and her maid walked away, a wicked smile appeared on the figure's face. The figure murmured to itself, in a voice filled with malice:

In kune: "Miaj sinjoroj volos scii ĉi tion. Certe ili interesiĝos profiti la situacion (My lords will want to know this. They will surely be interested in taking advantage of the situation)."

The sun slowly descended over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as night fell over the temple of Sabla Urbo. In the royal quarters, a calm atmosphere enveloped the room. Inísel lay naked on the bed, her body glowing in the dim light of the oil lamps. Beside her, her husband, Shántruk Theodric Elektita Unu, rested in a state of apparent tranquility.

Inísel, feeling the weight of the truth on her shoulders, knew she could no longer hide the delicate information she had received from the healer. She took a deep breath and, with a soft but firm tone, began to speak.

In kune: "Theodric, mi devas paroli kun vi pri io grava (Theodric, I need to talk to you about something important)," Inísel said, her voice barely a whisper in the dimness.

The Shántruk turned his head to look at her, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of concern.

In kune: "Kio okazas, mia Valkúr? (What is it, my Valkúr?)" he asked, his voice deep and reassuring.

Inísel took his hand and held it tightly, knowing she needed to be honest with her husband.

In kune: "Hodiaŭ mi iris al Sanigi. Mi sentis pikilojn en mia ventro kaj pensis, ke mi eble estas graveda. Sed (Today I went to see the Sanigi. I have been feeling twinges in my belly and thought I might be pregnant. But)…" she paused, gathering strength. In kune: "Ŝi diris al mi, ke mi ne povas resti graveda. Ŝajnas, ke estas io stranga en mi, io malhela kaj stranga, kiu malhelpas min gravedi. Mi havas maloftan kondiĉon, kiu ne havas kuracon (She told me I cannot get pregnant. It seems there is something strange inside me, something dark and strange that prevents me from conceiving. I have a rare condition that has no cure)."

Theodric frowned, but his reaction was not what Inísel expected. Instead of showing anger or despair, he simply nodded, gently squeezing her hand.

In kune: "Ĉu io stranga? Ĉu vi fartas bone? Ĉu io doloras vin? Ĉu la Sanigi diris, ke ĝi estas danĝera por via sano? (Something strange? Do you feel well? Does anything hurt? Did the Sanigi say it is dangerous for your health?)" his questions were filled with a concern that slightly surprised Inísel. Shaking her head, she responded calmly:

In kune: "Ŝajne ĝi ne influas mian sanon, ĝi nur malhelpas min havi infanojn (It seems it doesn't affect my health, it only prevents me from having children)."

Theodric nodded, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.

In kune: "Mi komprenas, tio klarigas kial vi ne restis en ŝtato. Estas bone, Inés. Se la dioj decidis, ke ni ne povas havi familion, ni devos akcepti ĝin (I understand, that explains why you haven't become pregnant. It's okay, Inés. If the gods have decided that we can't have a family, we will have to accept it)," he said with a calmness that surprised her.

Inísel, however, couldn't help but express her concern.

In kune: "Theodric, vi venas de tre antikva genlinio. Via familio estas la Shantruk de la kvin urboj dum generacioj. Se ni ne povas havi posteulojn kaj ĉiuj viaj antaŭaj infanoj mortis antaŭ ol naskiĝi, kio okazos al la Kvin Urboj? Kiu estos la estonta Shantruk? (Theodric, you come from a very ancient lineage. Your family has been the Shántruk of the five cities for generations. If we can't have descendants and all your previous children died before being born, what will happen to the Kvin Urboj? Who will be the future Shántruk?)"

The sovereign sighed deeply and drew Inísel close to him, embracing her affectionately.

In kune: "Estas aliaj manieroj doni al la homoj heredanton, mia amo. Ili ne devas scii, ke vi ne povas gravedi, ne maltrankviliĝu. Ne gravas de kie venas la infano, tiel longe kiel estos unu, ĉio estos en ordo. Vi ne kulpas pri io ajn. Mi ankaŭ konsideras min kulpa; Mi certe malsukcesis la diojn en io, por ke ili ne permesis, ke mia heredanto de miaj antaŭaj edzinoj naskiĝu viva. Vi ne estas sola en ĉi tio (There are other ways to give the people an heir, my love. They don't have to know that you can't conceive, don't worry. It doesn't matter where the child comes from, as long as there is one, everything will be fine. You are not to blame for anything. I also consider myself guilty; I must have failed the gods in something for them not to allow my heir from my previous wives to be born alive. You are not alone in this)."

Inísel felt a wave of relief and sadness at the same time. Uncertainty began to fill her heart as she nestled into Theodric's chest, finding comfort in the warmth of his embrace. The Shántruk separated slightly and united their lips in a slow kiss. Inísel could feel the affection her husband had for her and closed her eyes, trying to return the gesture with the same passion. They stayed like this, embracing and kissing silently, feeling comforted by each other's presence.

As the night advanced, the soft sound of Theodric's breathing provided Inísel with a strange solace. Although the future seemed uncertain and full of challenges, in that moment, in her husband's arms, she found a spark of hope. She knew that together they could face any obstacle, even the mysterious darkness that seemed to prevent them from having a family.