I woke to an empty bed and the distant screams of a baby. I was putting my armor on when the new girl, Elspeth, burst into my tent. "Lord Protector Kevin. Calara had her baby. It's a boy."

I dropped back onto my bed, pulling a blanket over me. I hoped the lamplight hadn't shown too much, but from her wide eyes, I was sure she was blushing.

"I...I'm sorry, Milord. I didn't think."

I waved that away. "Mother and child okay?"

"Yes, Milord. Calara simply squatted, pushing over and over until the baby came out. She didn't want any of our help, cut the umbilical cord and cleaned the baby even though she was still a mess. She'll walk back in the morning to present her baby to her husband."

"And how are you?"

"I...I don't know." She dropped her head again, and I sighed. I was essentially naked with this girl, maybe sixteen, who'd been captive to the Sobecks. They should've sent the boy...Birdy, but then he wouldn't have been helping with the birth.

"Please turn around so I can get dressed," I said.

She nodded, head down, and turned away.

Once dressed, I said, "Okay, let's go find Sorina and Birdy and have a talk. I'm sure we can find some way to protect your virtue."