Chapter Text
“Im.. what?”
“Pregnant. You are with child.”
A still silence filled the medical ward as Salos walked over and switched out Narinder's half filled puke bucket with an empty one. Narinder attempted to speak once more but was immediately occupied vomiting into the empty bucket. The Lamb stroked his back gently while holding the bucket’s edge just in case.
The Lamb furrowed their brows. “Salos. You know how I am when it comes to the health of my followers. Narinder has been puking up his insides for nearly this entire month and has landed in the medical bay multiple times this week. Are you sure this is not some sort of stomach bug or a sickness brought on by bad food? How did you even come to the conclusion of pregnancy??”
Ever since Narinder came back from his mission, he had been struck by some sort of stomach pain. At first he’d gag at the smell of food cooking, and feel nauseous when he ate himself. But over a few weeks, this affliction became more prominent and potent, forcing down gags at the mere smell of food and throwing up anything he tried to keep down. The reason why he was even there with the Lamb was because he had collapsed on his way to do work on the farms, vomiting into a potted plant. It was pure luck that the Lamb was in the area at the time, otherwise they knew he'd just try and push through it alone.
The Lamb was so certain it had to be from some sort of bad food that was stored in Narinder's satchel and he himself has said to have eaten berries straight from bushes as he traveled, it could have been a couple of bad berries for all they know but, pregnancy??
“Oh yes I am quite sure, you remember when I asked for a urine sample a few days ago? Well-” Salos then produced two small bags of sprouting seeds “This is why, I ‘watered' these seeds with your urine. These are barley and wheat. Although they are useful to make breads of all kinds, they are also pregnancy indicators as well.”
Salos then puts the sprouting bags to the side and started preparing a kettle of water to boil, he prepares a tea bag while he speaks “You see, wheat and barley can in fact grow under the same circumstances either way, but due to a hormone that is only prevalent in those who carry will the seeds grow faster than its regular growth time. And even further, Narinder is a cat. Which means his urine by its own accord is filled with something called ammonia, which can actually kill plants let alone have the ability to make said plants grow.”
Salos put the tea bag filled with camillas ginger and orange leaves into the kettle and continued. “And because of that fact, the conclusion of him being pregnant is not so astonishing. When pregnant, his ammonia levels decrease in order for different baby making hormones to kick in. Which is how the seeds sprouted and grew in such a short duration of time, let alone sprouted in general. Kinda cool, isn't it?” Salos looked over his shoulder to look at the two.
Narinder's head was now fully inside of the bucket as he dry heaved it seemed like everything he had is now gone, acids included, while the Lamb was.. taking in the information the best they can. There is clear and concise evidence of this possibility being real, the Lamb has seen others being pregnant and suffering through its toils. Slowly, the Lamb started to put the pieces together. This wasn't a stomach bug or salmonella, this was morning sickness. He would always eat something with fish and have always eaten cooked meals, but as of recently he’d been sneaking out at night to eat ingredients. If he really was pregnant, that would mean he was starting to have pregnancy cravings and.. And he went on a mission recently.
The Lamb’s face turned pale as they looked up at Salos.
“Can- is, uh, there's a way to see.. How far along is he?” Salos poured a cup of tea and handed it to Narinder. “Here. This will help with the pain.” Narinder shifted the bucket onto the Lamb’s lap and took the cup, downing the hot liquid before returning the cup and taking back the bucket, ready for it to come back up. "
“There are only two ways,” Salos answered Lamb's stumbling question. “Usually we would count the weeks and/or months from the last menstrual cycle a mother had before conception. But Narinder, being a male, has no menstrual cycle to calculate from, unless you mated while in heat. Then we can calculate from that.”
The Lamb’s ears perked up. “Ah, that would be around the last rite of lust.” Salos sat at his desk and started to calculate the weeks. “Alright, that would be about thirteen weeks or three mo-” he stopped dead in his tracks and looked at the Lamb. He then looked at Narinder, the cat busy thousand-yard-staring into his bucket, and then back at the Lamb. They bit their lip, staring at Salos with the eyes of a shaking chihuahua. “...How did you.. you.. Are- Did- Did you two..”
The Lamb closed their eyes in acceptance and nodded.
—
After a small talk and an egregious amount of money spent as a bribery, the Lamb took a deflated Narinder clutching onto a bucket to their home since Narinder's home is at the far edge of the convent. Plus it would be easier to keep an eye on a person who likes to hide all ailments rather well right inside your own home to look after. It was only a short walk but felt what seemed like half a century to Narinder, he finally entered the Lambs home and promptly sat onto the Lambs bed shaking and sweating. Still anticipating the liquid he himself drank to come hurling out of him but it never does.
The Lamb sighs as he takes a look at Narinder and approaches. "..you look horrible.. and still have not eaten anything since.. wait, when was the last time you ate?" The Lamb asks. Narinder then breathes in and out feeling his stomach finally settle down. "It's been.. more than a day," the Lambs eyes go wide and ready for loud and very much needed words to be shouted at Narinder but is stopped before it even happens, a small knock sounds out with a small voice on the other side.
"My Lamb! I've brought you what you asked of me!" Ah the Lamb forgot that they'd requested a meal to be prepared for Narinder. "Alright I'm coming!- ok wonderful, I've asked Poppy to make a medicinal soup for you to drink since all you've done till now is empty out your stomach, it's made with fish broth just as you like it to be if the smell is too strong for you tell me ok?" The Lamb said as they walked to the door, Narinder cringes with the mere notion of having food near him but wont say no. After all, he hasn't eaten in two days while.. pregnant.. now thinking about it his stomach did get bigger- BUT in a bloated way!! Like a stomach bug! But looking down.. and feeling around.. its higher than where his stomach would be at. Oh gods is he actually-
"Narinder, are you ok? I have the food right here" the Lamb produces a bowl of mainly broth and a few pieces of fish inside. He didn't even notice the smell when it came in here, usually its pungent and well its fish so it IS pungent but its not making him want to vomit his insides. Good. He can at least attempt to eat again. Narinder puts down the bucket eyes never breaking away from the food as he gives it a taste. Its.. good. He drinks the broth from the bowl as if the bowl was going to get in his stomach too. He then eats the fish not even savoring it as he then licks the bowl clean and hands it to a shocked Lamb.
"I demand more of this" Narinder deadpans.
It takes a second to react but the Lamb then takes the bowl and answers "uh yeah eheh sure thing! But i think that food will have to land on your stomach first, Afterall you wouldn't want a stomach ache right now of all times" the Lamb says as they circle around and sit next to a pouting Narinder that huffs defeated with the power of logic. Since they are alone the Lamb might as well talk now "so, uh well- um.. how do i put this.. about thee uh pregnancy.. you don't have to carry it- it through you know.."
That last part of the Lamb's sentence wavered as tears swelled up in their eyes, biting their lip, they looked down and took a long sigh. It's been a while since the Lamb ever thought about wanting to have a child of their own but the chance diminished drastically when they were caught and beheaded and became impossible when they were forced to play leader. Not only did they have to keep up protecting the village, they have to provide for it, for everyone. Only just last year the village sowed enough farm land to sustain themselves continuously let alone adding children to the mix. That being said maybe things will change now that there is some stability.. the Lamb wouldn't have to go out on crusades all that much and they have gotten better at conserving bones for the harvest ritual so maybe just maybe..
the Lamb can hope for a little Lamb of their own again..
It was all up to Narinder since he was the one carrying, they have seen what it was like to carry a pregnancy to term. When they were young their mother was pregnant with their younger brother, helping her as much as their little hooves could around their little home as their poor mother was being nagged all day and all night by their father worried sick about her.
What the Lamb remembered was how head strong she was literally, even while pregnant she tended to all her work and cleaning around the house until she got too heavy to work, and finally gave birth. It was scary, to think she had gone through all of the sickness, the pain and agony of being pregnant, giving birth and then recovering from the blood loss and.. stretching. Because of this they know of the risks and of the side effects of being pregnant let alone the changes the body one goes through. Even so they would do anything and everything to keep them comfortable and secure.
Narinder looks at them with tired and sickly eyes "wipe your tears Lamb.. i think.. ill go through with it." The Lamb eyes widened in shock "really? Nari you know it wont be easy to.. carry all the way to term.. so many things could happen in between and and even now! You look too tired and sickly.. maybe we shou-" the Lambs mouth shut quickly by Narinder's palm "yes i know, i know I'm already reaping the horrors of carrying but.. I know you wanted to have a child since before your vessel hood and even during your time as my vessel you made attempts to try and make offspring but instead became a leader full time. So, I want to make a deal."
Narinder gripped onto the Lamb's small muzzle and brought them to his eye level. Looking intensely into Lamb's eyes as he speaks "what i want is power Lamb. A standing in the little convent you kept alive, thus removing me of duties completely. I have worked under the sun laboring for you and your dirty followers for far too long. You will serve at my will. During and after the birth of your rotten fledgling and in return you will get your to be kin"
The claws from their hand retracts as they let go of the Lamb's muzzle still looking straight into the Lamb's eyes "are we clear?" The Lamb then mear centimeters from Narinder's face point blankly responds "..so you want to become my concubine?"
The Lamb had it coming, they knew how they would react to that kind of word being used in that manner, they could have jumped for joy and asked for their hand in marriage or a union or any other word to use instead but they choose this, and the consequence? a punch to the gullet at lightning speed. Narinder then quickly holds them by the collar, not letting them wince in pain. "HOW DARE YOU THINK SO LOWLY OF ME TO WANT THE TITLE OF A CONCUBINE!? I am not your personal whore or your birthing cow!" The Lamb bites his lip in pain and laughs weakly and takes both Narinder's hands. "I'm sorry Narinder of- of course i don't think of you that way haha.. augh- ill- ill see what i can do, f-for now.. you might want to think about.. marriage if you'd like eheheee.."
Ah. Yeah. They forgot. The Lamb forgot in the heat of the moment, they needed to break the news to their wife about all of this later- Wait. If he marries them then he'd actually get everything he'd just asked for.. just like Bella! Poor Bella has been so weak and fragile her whole life she was given special permission to sit around and enjoy everything around her when she wasn't stuck in the medical bay, that's another thing to add onto the list to do later that day hopefully..
"Im sorry narinder i didn't mean to get you mad i just didn't think about my words- a-anyways i have another question for you-" Narinder interjects "tch, what now" the Lamb rubs his hands gently as they continue to speak "well.. the village are going to find out sooner or later so.. will it be ok if i reveal your pregnancy or keep it hushed for now"
Narinder deflects the question "that will depend, will you agree to my deal" the Lamb sighs and replies "of course i will let you off from labor, your Pregnant! I'm just giving you ideas on what kind of power you're looking to have! Concubine is not what you want that's for sure and my wife already does what you want, far too sickly to work and when she is better she simply roams, enjoying the decorations i put around the village. aaand she has the villages respect since they know i favor her above all else, well except you but-"
"So in exchange you want to marry me and make me your trophy wife or your mistakes were made' wife-" the Lamb pulls Narinder's hands in and jolts closer to Narinder, panicking "no! Absolutely not! You will never be close to a trophy wife in my eyes! You are my god! And last time I remembered you're not me! So quit making assumptions! And second of all if not concubine or marriage how else will you have power hmm?" Narinder stays quiet "exactly so i suggest we let this one sit so you can think it over ok?" The Lamb sits up right and rests there hands including Narinder's hands lower holding onto them. "Now back to my question let me ask you again, would you mind the convent knowing? Or would you like it to be a secret until your decision"
Narinder looks down in thought for a second or more before responding "i think its best to hold until i can make a decision" the Lamb smiles cheerfully "Alright and one final question nari, would you still want more of that fish soup?" Narinder lifted his head up swiftly to answer, a resounding yes. "Alrighty ill be back with more you stay here and get comfortable, make sure you drink that cup of water I'm sure your dehydrated as well"
As soon as the Lamb exits the hut they rush to the kitchen and back holding another bowl of warm fish soup in their hands. They did see some whispers already going around the followers since Narinder has had his full of rumors and being sick followed by a doctor's appointment and a trip to the leaders tent? Instead of his own? And being fed by the leader themself? That would be something to talk about, but nevertheless something to worry about later putting that in the mental list of worries for now.
Entering there abode Narinder has gulped down the remaining water and now lays on their back arms stretched and legs hanging on. The Lamb puts down the bowl and scrambles to pull Narinder up, "no Narinder you cant lay on your back! It's bad for you!" Lamb says while pulling them up by their clothes, Narinder squirmed as he gets pulled into a sitting position. "Lamb! How on earth is my laying down bad??" The Lamb reaches for the fish stew and hands it to Narinder who immediately starts to eat it up, slower this time. "Because it can hurt the baby!" Narinder stops mid chew looking up at the Lamb, alerted "yeah! It can compress uh.. some kind of blood vessel that feeds to the.. uterus? Yeah uterus, so don't do that!" Narinder then nods in agreement and continues to chew and swallow. "You should double check that with Salos, maybe ask for more tips if its true.. has anyone have experience or knowledge with this? Other than Kallamar i would strangle him before getting tips from an over the top imbecile like him" the Lamb thinks for a bit before looking having an epiphany "oh! Forneus!"
Narinder replies back with a 'mmm' as he continues to eat, "I can ask her for assistance with this! Maybe she can visit for a time so we can both learn from her but other than thaaat.." they think for a moment once more, salos, kallamar is off the table, Haborym is dead, Astaroth is one foot in the grave tho he can still give us advice.. and i don't know if anyone in the village has had a child actually.. that knowledge would be useful. That would be a question to all of them when Narinder makes up his mind and chooses- huh?
The Lamb looks to the left stunned by the sight of a half finished bowl and a sleepy nari, such a precious sight! "You know you can finish this later right? No worries there is plenty more in the kitchen, you can rest in my bed for the time being" the Lamb pats the bed behind and Narinder takes the initiative to lay down while putting the bowl down onto a night stand. "Mmmph.. wake me if the village burns down.." hehe adorable.. the Lamb covers them with a blanket and kisses the side of there cheek, "alrighty ..ill be out then, you go ahead and sleep all you want" Narinder mumbles something and turns to make himself more clearer, "where are you going.." the Lamb pats his head slowly as they talk, "to have a meeting with the disciples about this matter, only them other than Salos and soon forneus will know about this, i need there help with handling how to break the news to everyone else you know" Narinder then mumbles once more making a 'mhmm' sound of agreement as he lets the softness of the bed entangle him to sleep.
The Lamb lets him be and exits the tent and takes a glance around the village, all is peaceful and lively as they spot the pup who brought the first round of fish soup, disciple poppy. They wave a hand calling her over, she ends the conversation she was having bowing respectfully and runs over to the Lamb. "Yes my Lamb! Is there anything wrong?" The Lamb reaches their hand and pets the top of Poppy's head "no there is nothing to worry about, thank you for altering the fish stew for Narinder with such short notice, you did well." Poppy wags her tail and smiles happily "thank you my Lamb!" The Lamb smiles back
"now then its time to get serious"
"Call all the disciples for an emergency meeting"
"There is something i must divulge to you all"