did as well and caught his breath. A trailof crimson seeped through the blue of Lassens breeches until itformed a garish streak down his inner thigh.Rohyrheard a soft sighor was it a gasp? Lassen slumped down on hisside, his face deathly white, his pinched features slipping into theblank serenity of unconsciousness. Rage forgotten, Rohyr dropped tohis knees and lifted Lassen to cradle him. He did not need to shoutfor help. His frantic thoughts reached the three who waited justoutside the door.Jarethburst in followed by Mithre and Yandro. When Mithre would have goneto Lassen, Yandro caught him and urged him to summon the villagephysician at once. Mithre anxiously stared at his son then dashed outthe door.Meanwhile,Jareth knelt before Rohyr and, taking his hand, placed it on Lassensabdomen.Lend him strength, Roh, he murmured. Protect the child.Helaid his own hand over Rohyrs. Physical contact permitted a morecontrolled and concentrated outpouring of power.Rohyrforced himself to focus their joint energy where it was needed.Though neither could approximate the mending power of a trainedhealer, what they expended could hold further decline and death inabeyance a while longer, hopefully buying enough time until thephysician arrived.Focusingon the life within Lassens womb, Rohyr could not help makingcontact with it. He gritted his teeth, refusing to allow his jealousyand anger over the babes unknown sire to interfere with the needto save and succor. When the babe responded, he opened himself to itstentative touch, assured by this proof that it still lived.Rohyrpaled. The infant knew him as surely as he knew it. Veres forgiveme, he groaned. What have I done?Jarethlooked at him in alarm. What is it? he urgently asked. Whatshappened? Rohyr raised anguished eyes to him. The child...he whispered. Jath, this child ismine.ChapterNineteenWatershedWithRohyr distraught over Lassen, it fell to Jareth to summon Eiren. Thephysician wasted no time travelling from outside the village butopened a portal right on the street fronting the Idana residence. Theblossoming shocked the various onlookers gathered in small pocketsbefore it, as did his sudden emergence on steedback. In all its yearsof placid existence, never had Weilan been witness to so manyeye-opening events as had occurred in the space of one day.Hewas met by Yandro who swiftly apprised him of the situation.Ofcourse hes in danger of losing the babe, Eiren said as theyhurried into the house and up the stairs. His womb isnt matureenough to safely carry a child to term without proper supervision.Cannothing be done? Yandro anxiously inquired.Letus hope there is. Didnt his physician recognize the signs of animpending miscarriage?ApparentlyIdana-tyarhad been complaining of pain for several days now but the villagehealer said twas normal to feel some discomfort toward the end ofgestation.Eirenscowled. In the last month, yes. Earlier than that is always causefor concern and with premature breeding, its the first sign thatsomething is very wrong. Ah, theres truly a need for bettereducated healers in these remote parts.Rohyrhad transferred Lassen back to his bedchamber and he now stood watchover him with Mithre as Falan doggedly tried to stem the bleeding.Eiren only spared enough time to courteously acknowledge his fellowphysician before taking over. He swiftly examined Lassen, frowning athis paleness