 “Thank you again for this, Doctor” Thyri smiled, slipping her fingers into Gupta’s hands; her expression brightened further when he gave them a reassuring squeeze. “As soon as I am in a position to do so, I will ensure you are rewarded for everything you’ve done for me.”
Dr. Gupta shook his head, “no, my lady,” he said with a smile of his own, “that won’t be necessary; I became a doctor to help people in need.” Thyri kept her wide hood up and her red hair tucked out of sight. Beneath her dress her stomach had finally begun to show signs of her pregnancy, but the cut of the garment had disguised it suitably for the last few weeks. Linking arms with Dr. Gupta she allowed him to steer her along the little woodland path which snaked out before them. They passed into Kingswood Henge in companionable silence. Thyri could hear the sound of the nearby tributaries and the songs of the birds perched in the trees. It was beautiful; it reminded her of the forests she had played in as a child; perhaps her son or daughter would enjoy playing in these woods as much as she had done.
“Your husba...” Dr. Gupta trailed off and glanced at the floor in embarrassment, “...he knows?” Thyri laughed; Gupta really was a most delicate man.
“Yes,” she confirmed, lifting up her skirts as she stepped neatly over a large puddle that had filled the path, “he knows. If he wants to contact me, he will leave a message at your cabin. We thought it was safer that way; and Doctor, we really do need to be very careful.” Gupta nodded with a serious expression and muttered his agreement. Hiding things from Gods was going to be very difficult indeed, even if they were all devoid of magic for the foreseeable future. Thyri was having similar thoughts; she had begun to wish that the ancient creature would not be defeated for a while yet. She wanted to have had the baby before Tsi, Zed and the others were re-empowered.
“I hope you will like the girl I have found to help you,” Dr. Gupta said, with a little anxious strain in his voice. “She is from a similar area of Earth as you, I believe, and is a devotee of Rhaegar. I think I was lucky to find her.”
Thyri nodded, the girl did sound ideal. “Did you tell her who I was?” Dr. Gupta shook his head.
“No, my Lady,” he replied, looking amused, “I thought you would want the pleasure.” The Danish woman grinned.
A small cottage loomed into view amongst the trees. It was a pleasant little thing, not too large with a thatched roof and little windows with wooden shutters. Thyri’s expectations for her make-shift home had been very low, so the house was a pleasant surprise. She allowed Dr. Gupta to release her arm and he approached the door. Taking the brass knocker in his hand the doctor gave three sharp knocks on the wood; tat tat tat. Thyri stood back, her face cast into shadow by her hood and the low-hanging branches of the surrounding trees, and waited. The front door was pulled open after a brief pause, but Thyri did not chance a glimpse of the person who had opened it. Dr. Gupta crossed the threshold and beckoned for Thyri to follow.
The living area was snug and homely; finer than the home she had been born in and the girl standing by the fire place had a kind, if naive, looking face.
“Lady Thyri,” Dr. Gupta said, “may I introduce Svea. She’s agreed to look after you and the baby for as long as you both have need of her.”
 |
|