[FweepFwopFwoop]

Seroteth panted. "It's as if it doesn't want to come out anymore."

[Eskal]

"I think it's a little late for that," Marius said.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Oh gee, ya think so?" Seroteth shut his eyes and took deep breaths as another contraction hit him. "Come out… already…"

[Eskal]

Marius mopped up the sweat on Seroteth's face.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Seroteth panted as the contraction ended. His belly contorted and moved as the baby inside moved toward the birth canal. "Oh, thank the gods." He panted.

"Okay, when the next contraction comes, you push, okay?" Astien said.

"I know, Astien! I've been having kids for thousands of years!" Seroteth said through gritted teeth.

[Eskal]

Cormac squeezed his grandfather's hand reassuringly.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Another contraction gripped Seroteth, and he began pushing. "Come on… come out… al… ready!" He panted and tried to breathe, beneath his hand was the scent of scorched grass, being burnt in his pain.

[Eskal]

Cormac continued to hold his grandfather's hand.

Wyn paced at the front gate as he nervously ran her hand through her hair.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Seroteth gasped and moaned. He practically broke Cormac's hand. When the contraction was over, he leaned back. "Have we any water? I'm so thirsty."

Loke approached Wyn, his son in his arms. "Why are you so worried? The others made it back fine, they will too."

[Eskal]

Marius took the waterskin off of his belt and opened it. "Here."

"They should have been back by now," Wyn said. "What if something happened while they were coming back?"

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Seroteth eagerly drank of the waterskin. "So good. Okay, I'm ready." He took a deep breath as another contraction hit, and he began pushing.
"It's crowning! Come on, you just have to get past the shoulders!" Astien said.
"I know!" Seroteth snapped.

"Wyn, they just took on a coven of faeries. Honestly, I'm only surprised they're not dead. But they aren't, and whatever's happening, they'll be fine."

[Eskal]

Cormac held Seroteth's hand.

"I know. I know, but I can't help but worry."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Would you two just say something?" Seroteth groaned at Marius and Cormac. "Don't just sit there quietly, at least pretend like yoouuuaaaarrrgghh!"

"I know. I worry about Hjulmir all the time. But, he always comes home fine. Cormac will be no exception."

[Eskal]

"Have you thought of any names?" Cormac asked.

Wyn nodded and sighed. "I worry about him all the time."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"If it's a boy... Ponthes. A girl… Kikyo." He grunted. Another contraction hit, and Seroteth threw his head back, as fire emerged from his mouth in a great blast as he cried out.

"He worries about you too." Delas pointed out. "So I guess you're even."

[Eskal]

"Those are nice names," Marius commented.
"I'm sure everybody back at Dragonperch is excited."

"I suppose so."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Seroteth nodded through his pain, and cried out as he pushed. "One more big push, Seroteth! Almost there, you're almost there!" Astien said.

"It's okay. Those guys can handle anything." Delas cheerfully said.

[Eskal]

"You can do it," Cormac said.

"I'm sure they can."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Seroteth cried out as he pushed, and when the contraction was over, the sound of a baby's crying rang out. Astien smiled. "Seroteth Drake-Father, I would like to introduce you to Ponthes, your new baby boy." Seroteth smiled, his mouth open wide. He reached forward and cut the cord with his claws. Astien turned away and wrapped the baby in a towel, handing it to Seroteth.
"Hi Ponthes." He gasped. "Say hello to your nephew."

[Eskal]

Cormac smiled. "Hi Ponthes."