Lance was watching them, while the woman took care of the rest, and cleaning her bed the best way she could. Then she went outside. Lancelot followed her after a while.

"How are they?" she asked, smoking a long pipe.

"They are sleeping."

"That's good."

"But the child... isn't it too soon?" he looked at her quite confused. "It was born in the fifth month! It can't live for long!" He clenched his fists.

"No worries, it was born at the right time. Darklings have really interesting pregnancy cycle."

"How so? Eclipse didn't mention it."

"Well, maybe because he has no idea either, but it's like this. Their bodies can deliver a child in anywhere between one month to even few years, depending on from what race is the father." She let out a long stream of smoke. "For hedgehogs, it's shortened from nine months to five. Being it another Darkling it would be around four months."

"That's really... amazing."

"I know, and you should know one more thing," she angrily glanced at him. "I can image what is in your head. You have got an honor to maintain, you can't allow people to know about this illegal child... with a Darkling herm on top of it... but hear my warning..."

He clenched his fists.

"... no matter what you do, don't hurt that child. According to legends, Darklings have so strong connection to their family they can feel where they are and know if they are in a pain. They will hunt attacker to the end of the earth if they have to." She averted her eyes, watching the night forest. "But you are this child's father if you decide it has to die..."

Lancelot shivered.

"... He will allow you to do it... or he will do it on his own... but know this... it will break him... and nothing in the world will heal such wound."

"I--" he was cut short.

"Just let them be, let them have their life."

"I have no intention to hurt them."

"But you are Lancelot, The Knight of the Round Table," she shrugged. "Don't look at me like that," she frowned. "I recognized you the moment you kicked my door open."

"I'll pay the damage."

"Just take care of these two." She played with her pipe.

"How do you know him? He never mentioned having friends before." It made him curious.

"Good question, it will be more than two years since he settled in this forest, once he was chased off his homeland. Fools, he may be physically smaller but he is agile and quite clever and quick in learning too.

We started as business partners, it's thanks to him I can get such rare herbs. He is top notch climber and seeker. With his help, I was able to save a lot of money, more than I could on my own. I guess somehow we started to see each other as friends.

He visited me whenever he needed help... like how to deal with a certain hedgehog," she impishly winked at him and he looked away, guessing those lessons were behind Eclipse's seductiveness. "Or as of late how to deal with pregnancy. I was surprised, I thought Darklings turn to herms in fourteen."

"Do you know anything about it? Like why now?"

She pondered about it. "He may be just late bloomer, or his affection towards you actually did the trick."

"You mean he loves me so much it turned him into a herm?" he was shocked.

"This world is full of magic, anything is possible," she shrugged. "Don't dwell on it and enjoy it."

"There is one more thing... What is your name?"

Her bat ears went down. "Now you ask?" she frowned at him with hands on her hips, but she soon smiled. "Well, it was an emergency. I'm Moriana the Bat, I'm called a witch, but I don't do magic. I'm just good with herbs, teas, and other medical stuff."

They chatted for a bit more and Lancelot ensured her she has now a friend at the castle and she can ask for his help as long it's within his reach. She only sent him back to the house to get some rest. It was bit cramped there, but they managed. She allowed them to stay for few days to recover before they returned home.