Plus

Hours stretched into what felt like days as Zach paced outside the healer’s hut, his mind a whirlwind of anxiety and dread. The once-vibrant colors of the village now felt muted under the weight of his worry, the vibrant greens of the surrounding fields dulled by a heavy fog of uncertainty. Each tick of the clock echoed in his ears, reminding him of the precious time slipping away while Vera lay inside, fighting against the poison that coursed through her veins.

Daniel leaned against the wooden post of the hut, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his brow furrowed in concern. He had been silent for most of the waiting period, but Zach could sense the tension radiating from him. The village was becoming increasingly restless, and whispers of worry began to circulate, tainting the air with unease.

“Zach,” Daniel finally said, breaking the silence, his voice low and measured. “We need to talk about what happened out there. If the attackers come again—”

“No,” Zach interrupted, his tone sharper than intended. “We can’t think about that right now. Vera needs us.” The urgency in his voice matched the storm brewing in his heart. He couldn’t afford to focus on anything other than the woman he cared for, lying just beyond the threshold, clinging to life.

Just then, the healer emerged, her expression grave and drawn. The crowd that had gathered fell silent, a collective breath held in anticipation. Zach stepped forward, dread pooling in his stomach. “How is she?” he demanded, his voice taut with emotion.

“She’s stable for now,” the healer replied, brushing her hands on her apron, the gesture oddly soothing. “But she hasn’t regained consciousness. The poison is strong, and it may take time for her to wake up.” Her gaze softened as she looked at Zach, and he could see the empathy in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Zach’s heart sank further. “But she’s going to be okay, right?” The question slipped from his lips, laden with desperation and a flicker of hope.

“We’re doing everything we can,” the healer assured him, her voice steady yet filled with an underlying worry. “But there’s something else. I need you to come inside. There’s something I discovered while treating her.”

A chill crept down Zach’s spine as he exchanged worried glances with Daniel before following the healer into the hut. The air inside was thick with herbs and the faint scent of antiseptic, creating a sanctuary of warmth in stark contrast to the chaos outside. Vera lay on a simple bed, her skin still pale against the fabric, her breathing steady yet shallow. Zach’s heart ached at the sight of her—vulnerable and still, her vibrant spirit seemingly extinguished.

“What is it?” Zach asked, his voice barely above a whisper, bracing himself for the worst.

As the healer moved closer to Vera, Zach could see the delicate line of her jaw, the way her hair framed her face. The sight twisted something deep within him—a longing mingled with fear. Would she wake up? Would they have a future together?

The healer took a deep breath, her expression somber. “As I examined her, I found something unexpected.” She paused, glancing at Vera before meeting Zach’s gaze. “Vera is pregnant.”

The words crashed over Zach like a wave, sweeping him into an ocean of confusion and disbelief. “Pregnant?” he echoed, the weight of the revelation settling heavily in his chest. “Are you sure?”

“I’m certain,” the healer confirmed, her voice steady and firm. “It’s still early, but there’s no mistaking it. The signs are clear.”

Zach felt the world tilt beneath him. He staggered back, gripping the edge of the wooden table to steady himself. A child. Their child. The thought filled him with a warmth that was immediately overshadowed by a wave of panic. He already had an heir, a legacy in the form of his firstborn, a bond he cherished fiercely. But this… this was different. It was Vera.

“But… she’s unconscious,” he said, the reality of the situation crashing in on him. “What if she doesn’t wake up? What if…” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the thought, the weight of it too heavy to bear.

The healer placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We must focus on getting her to wake up. She needs to know. You need to be strong for both of them.”

Daniel’s voice broke through the haze of worry. “What can we do? How can we help?”

“We’ll need to keep her calm and surrounded by familiar faces when she wakes,” the healer instructed, her eyes darting to Zach and then back to the sleeping woman. “And we must prepare for the possibility that the poison may have complications for the pregnancy. It’s critical that she doesn’t feel any additional stress.”

Zach nodded, determination flooding through him. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” he promised, glancing back at Vera, her fragile form stirring something primal within him. “I won’t let her down.”

As the healer explained the steps they would take to ensure Vera’s recovery, Zach’s mind raced. He thought of the battles still looming, the threat of the enemy still lurking at the borders, and the burden of protecting his village. The fight was no longer just for his own safety; it was for Vera and their unborn child. But how could he balance his responsibilities?

As he stepped outside, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the village, the vibrant colors bleeding into one another—a kaleidoscope of chaos reflecting his emotions. The villagers still murmured in concern, casting worried glances at the hut.

“Everyone, listen!” Zach called out, his voice firm, cutting through the tension. “Vera is stable, but she needs our support. There’s something important you all need to know. She’s pregnant.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd, shock and a mix of joy spreading among them. Whispers filled the air as they exchanged looks, some nodding in understanding, others expressing disbelief.

“We need to protect her,” Daniel added, stepping up beside Zach. “And we need to be ready for whatever comes next. There’s still danger, and we have to stay alert.”

Zach’s mind was racing. Protecting Vera was his priority, but the reality of their situation gnawed at him. He already had a child, and the thought of bringing another life into this chaotic world was daunting. He remembered his firstborn’s laughter, the warmth of those innocent moments. Would he be able to provide the same joy to another child? Or was he simply setting them up for a life of hardship and danger?

As the villagers began to disperse, rallying together with a renewed sense of purpose, Zach felt a flicker of hope. They would stand together. They would fight for Vera and their future. He turned back to the healer, who was still inside the hut, working to ensure Vera was comfortable.

“Just hold on, Vera,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead, his heart pounding against his ribs. “We’re going to get through this. I promise.”

But as he stepped away, a lingering unease settled in his chest. The battle was far from over, and he knew they were still in grave danger. The fight was just beginning, and he had to prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead—not just for himself but for Vera and their unborn child. His heart swelled with conflicting emotions—joy, fear, hope, and anxiety swirling within him like a storm. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the hardest battles were still to come.