Song of Princes (Homeric Chronicles #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Fetch Agelaus to me.”
    The guard’s surprise evident in his wide eyes. “My lord, the royal herder?”
    “Ask no questions. Just bring him to me.” Priam shut the door so quickly that the guard barely had time to move his foot to safety before the heavy timbers smashed his toes.
    Tessa, curious at the king’s harshness, covertly watched him and wondered what he wanted with the guard. She mumbled to herself, “Stupid men. Even kings! They never pay attention to the goddess. The moon is full. What did he expect?”
    The midwife rushed to Hecuba’s side as another pain tore across the queen’s back. Her knuckles gripped the linen until they whitened. “Push. I have need to push. HAARRHH—AAAH!” She wept and screamed.
    The midwife gently shoved the king aside. “Sire, I remind you this is a woman’s work.” “My lady, this will hurt but for a moment. I must feel for the baby’s position.” She put her hand inside the queen. The child’s crown just a few finger joints from the light of life. “When the next pain comes, bear down as hard as you can.”
    Hecuba’s skin glowed from the stress and sweat of labor. Her body worked with natural purpose. The urge to push mounted stronger than before. She held her breath and pushed with all the strength she could, her legs shaking with the effort.
    “My lady, you must move to the edge of the bed. Come, time to sit up. Help the child out. Tessa, help me move her.” The two women eased their queen to the edge and propped her in a semi-sitting position with her back side resting on the mattress. The next mounting pressure overtook Hecuba’s body and she strained mightily.
    “Priam,” Hecuba cried out, “save our son!”
    The midwife felt the child’s head crowning and reassured the queen. “The goddess has blessed you. All goes well. The child is fine, my lady.”
    “Priam! He’s our—AAARRHHAA!” Hecuba’s final effort brought forth the squalling baby boy covered in the scum of new life. Tessa supported the queen as her body collapsed, easing her as she lay back in the bed.
    “See my lady? He is perfect!” The midwife smiled and held the child up so Hecuba could see him. She deftly cut the life cord with a small sharp knife and wrapped the babe in a clean swaddling cloth. She handed the little prince to Tessa. “Clean the babe and bring him back to his mother. Put haste in your step, woman.” The midwife tended to the queen with steady, experienced hands. The last stage of birth remained. The midwife massaged Hecuba’s stomach to expel the sacred afterbirth without tearing the womb, a delicate matter. The seers would want the bloody membrane for divination for the new prince and she wanted a healthy queen.
    Tessa gently washed the infant’s body. His wrinkly face purpled with his distress. He flung his arms and legs out in fright, startling himself into more screaming. Once Tessa tightly swaddled the new prince, his crying subsided to a soft whimper. “Such a beautiful boy. Surely, the goddess has endowed this child with gifts yet to be revealed.” She handed the child to the queen. “Here is your prince, my lady.”
    Hecuba opened her arms to embrace her son. Sensing her love and warmth the new prince settled into a wide-eyed silence. The baby’s hazy blue eyes locked onto Hecuba’s face shattering her already broken heart. “He knows who I am.” She kissed him tenderly on the forehead. She kissed his little fingers clinging to one of her own. Hecuba dared a glance at her husband. Priam’s silence terrified her. He offered no word of encouragement, nor commented about the child. She begged the god. Please, Apollo, send a sign. Let me keep my son .
    Tessa ordered the bed dressed with fresh linen, the servants hurried to haul the soiled clothing and the defiled bloody remnants. Satisfied that all boded well for the queen, Tessa asked the king,” Shall I call for the heralds, my lord?”
    “No.” Priam had scarce moved since he’d ordered