2nd January 1103

“It really is uncanny ain’t it?” Emogen exclaimed as she stared down at the silent baby cradled in her competent arms.

“I know, I know,” Maela replied, “Little mite looks just like him.”

Their voices were distorted, echoing oddly as though she lay on the ocean floor, staring up at the shadows that swam lazily above her.

“Do you think he really did it?” Maela leaned in closer to her friend, her voice hushed, face creasing with worry.

“Certainly I do,” Emogen replied with the assurance of those who devote themselves wholeheartedly to the pursuit of gossip, “just look at her Maela. There can’t be any doubt.”

She nodded her head in time to the rhythmic stroking of her calloused hand on the smooth skin of the baby’s pale back.

“Are you sure no one could have slipped in while you nodded off Emogen?” Maela asked, “Surely you can’t believe it. A Priest of all men. An’ he always seemed like such a kind man.”

“I certainly didn’t let no one in that room!” Emogen hissed, full of indignation, “And don’t you suppose I would have woken up during that. I’ve never known a man to stay silent while that is taking place.”

Their words washed over Valeriya like waves slopping on the surface of the water. They were so far above as she lay languorously on the soft sand, starfish tangled in her long seaweed hair, crabs sidewalking across her belly their claws clacking softly.

“Do you really think they mean to punish him?” Maela aksed agitatedly.

“Maela love, if he did what they say he did and what this little baby’s eyes are telling us, they will punish him for certain. Just cause you’re a Priest doesn’t mean you can take your liberties with a women of status.”

Maela shuddered, her tall, slender body swaying like a strand of weed in the current.

“I’ve heard tell that if the Earl has his way they’re going to hang him,” Emogen continued with a knowing look.

“I hope they don’t though,” she added hurriedly.

Priest…

A small bubble of air slid from Valeriya’s open lips.

Punish…

It floated up to the surface, a tiny ball of silver dancing in the waves.

Hang…

She opened her mouth wide and thousands of tiny bubbles spewed forth. She reached out her hands, weakly trying to capture them as they sped upwards, luminescent, shimmering for a moment then gone.

Priest… hang…

Her lungs were filling with salty water and without the filmy, silver bubbles they were burning. She flailed her sluggish limbs, digging grooves in the sand, sending frightened crabs flying from her body. The fire in her lungs was growing unbearable and the icy water she gulped did nothing to quench it. With a final burst of strength she kicked her feet hard against the sandy floor propelling her body up towards the refracted light.

With a gasp she broke the surface and the world was clear again.

She stumbled towards the women like a new sailor finding his sea legs.

“Your Ladyship, are you quite well,” Emogen asked.

She slowly nodded her head, feeling as though any fast movement would send streams of water coming from her ears.

“What… are you… talking about?” she stuttered through chattering teeth.

“Oh, Your Ladyship, I’m sorry. We didn’t think you could hear us.”

The small child in her arms gave a soft sigh.

“What is this?” she cried her eyes meeting the babies. They were so blue, like the water, so deep, she could feel herself slipping.

“Your Ladyship, don’t you remember? This is your daughter.”

“My daughter,” she muttered.

“The Priest!” she cried suddenly, “what has happened?”

“Your Ladyship, I, I don’t know what to say,” her maid replied while the other woman glanced worriedly at the baby. Her baby.

“Hang… you said… you said they would hang him,” Valeriya struggled to make her waterlogged tongue form the words.

“Yes Your Ladyship. You see, they believe he is the father of your baby.”

Those eyes, those blue blue eyes. The Priest. The Father. Her baby. His baby. Their baby.

“and that he… uh… maybe didn’t ask your permission.”

“They’re discussing what to do right now,” Maela added.

“No… no,” it was all wrong, all wrong, “quick, put clothes on me. Clothes.”

She patted herself weakly with trembling blue veined hands.

They both gaped at her.

Struggling, she wriggled out of her sweat stained nightgown, throwing it contemptuously on the floor.

“Clothes. Now. I am Your Lady. Do not forget.”

“Of course Your Ladyship. Maela, can you please hold the baby.”

They must not punish him. They must not. She would get there in time. Everything would be just fine.