and some by virtue fall; any

[Kushiel]

To say things were getting a little out of hand would be an understatement. He’d been fine with just Shah. Sure, the lies between them were a little awkward. But, Kushiel was okay with that. He would get the hell out of dodge and no one would be the wiser. Perhaps, one day, Shahrizai would realize who he was, but, on that day, Kushiel would make sure to be in the Chamber.

What you don’t know can’t hurt you, right?

Anyways, that was until the Gates refugees started filtering in. He didn’t recognize Wichita at first. She just seemed like a normal, birthing mare. They tended to do that, mares, if left alone for too long. Give birth that is. Kushiel, having no children on his own, and only a single sibling, was not familiar with the concept. However, it appeared he was about to become familiar. As Wichita’s knees buckled Kushiel’s mouth popped open.

“Uuhhhh, ma’am, is there somewhere, you know, else, that you could do this?” It wasn’t that he was trying to be insensitive. This just seemed like a really bad place, and he felt so very unqualified for the role of midwife. Naturally, she didn’t seem to hear him and Kushiel coughed uncomfortably.

Queue the meddlesome child. The birthing mother was followed by another child and Kushiel groaned inwardly. How many offspring did you really need? Now he was going to have to be a midwife and a babysitter? His grouchy despair turned slightly more sinister when the child recognized him. He hissed at the little girl, though it pained him to do so (he liked kids). He didn’t, however, like meddlesome kids.

“Hush, silly girl, and help your Ma.” Perhaps the child could be distracted. He didn’t have candy, so parental distress would have to do.

Then there was the issue of Gumby. He was just about to chew Kushiel’s leg off. The big stallion stamped around impatiently, aiming harmless kicks at the beast. That was when another mare showed up. The stallion roared in exasperation. What was he, a circus act? However, the newcomer seemed to be more interesting than Kushiel, and he heaved a big sigh of relief when Gumby ran to her. However, the mare demanded an explanation and Kushiel shot her an exasperated look.

“Look, lady. We’re a little busy here.” Kushiel gestured widely at the mare birthing behind him. He turned his head, only to see that the child had been born. Hey, that was easy! Kushiel puffed up a little. Another job well done. Now perhaps he could see to that escape plan. He shot the newest mare, the one with the nearly incomprehensible accent, a look.

“I don’t suppose figuring out what to do with me would include a lift home? He smiled what he thought was enticingly. Hey, he got here somehow, maybe he could get home the same way. That would save him a lot of walking.