The prisoners constantly wondered where they were taking them, speculating on who would be next. It was usually the old, the sickly and the weak, but sometimes it was those who tried to fight back. There were rumours, horrible rumours, that the templars were torturing them, or experimenting on them, or killing them and extracting essence from their bodies.

There were constant fresh arrivals, mainly people from Ralanast. The spirit had been crushed out of many in the prison camp, but Amber felt that with the right leadership, they might be able to fight back. The Alturans had even looked to Leopold to lead them, but he had gone mad since the death of his uncle, Tessolar, the old High Lord. There was no help there.

Amber stood and walked slowly around to stretch her legs, once more feeling the baby kick.

A tall Halrana woman a few years older than Amber walked in the opposite direction.

"Lina, can I speak with you a moment?" Amber asked.

"What is it?" Lina said shortly.

"You are caring for a child, a boy, aren't you?"

"Yes. What of it?"

"The guards give me oats, but I can't eat them," Amber lied, "they give me stomach problems. I could leave the bowl outside my tent in the mornings. Your boy could eat them. Do you think that would be all right?"

Lina nodded — a short, sharp gesture. "Fine. I'll… What's wrong?"

Amber suddenly fell, clutching Lina's shoulder for support. She waited, breathing slowly in and out, before it hit her again.

Amber looked up at Lina, fear written across her face. "I think I'm going into labour," she said.

Lina drew herself up. "Samora," she called to another woman, "go and fetch one of the guards. Don't worry," she addressed Amber, "you'll be fine."

"I'm scared," Amber said.

"I know you are. But what is happening is natural. People have been having babies for thousands of years."

Amber felt another contraction hit her, with the force of a kick in the stomach. "Lina, I have to tell you. It's my husband's child. He's dead. Moragon just thinks the child is his."

"Quiet," Lina hissed, looking around her in both directions. "Not another word, do you hear me? You stay silent about that. You're going to be fine. Let him continue to believe. You know it's the better way."

Amber nodded, grimacing against the pain. "I know."

Lina pinched Amber's arm. "The guards are here. They'll take you somewhere clean and safe." Lina leaned in close. "If you can get out of here, do it. Even if it means leaving the babe."

Amber groaned. Two men took her shoulder on either side, leading her through the camp.

Amber repeated Lina's words like a mantra. She was going to be fine.

~

JUST before dawn, in the dim light of the infirmary tent in the guards' quarters, Amber gave birth to a strong baby boy.