"If this is the correct camping ground, it would be for the priest. To demonstrate the sacrifice's dedication, they would need to brave the night," said Coal.
"I think I am giving away enough to him. If he does not respect that, then is he really worth following? I am giving away my motherhood, my life, and the memories I will never have. Is that not enough?" Eve grumbled.
Coal appeared thoughtful for a moment, as he hitched the horses to a nearby rock.
Eve flinched and drew in a breath. "Hey, little one, please refrain from being so restless inside me. It must be the new environment," Eve whispered. Her attention momentarily drifted from the sparse campsite to Coal's physical features. He was a blonde with sharp, distraught facial features.
Eve winced, moving toward the campsite. Coal left the horses to build a fire. Once she reached the area, she sat down, watching him for a few seconds before her eyes grew heavy. She leaned back on a rock and fell asleep.
Several hours later, Eve awoke, smelling cooked meat. It was delightful to her senses. Her mouth watered at the nutty citrus scent.
Coal barely glanced up at her before he spoke. "Give up and go home."
Eve puffed out her cheeks. "Then who will be the sacrifice!?"
"I will." Coal answered her calmly.
Eve lost control of her emotions, screaming at him. "No, do you not realize it is against our religion to sacrifice a priest. So many people count on you. You are there to lead and guide. If you die, who will lead that one soul you did not? To Dai'lan'riku, that is the biggest crime you can commit!"
"Does being a mother frighten you that much, that you would rather die?" Coal stated bitterly.
Eve sprung up, slapping Coal across the face. The sound reverberated through the valley of sand.
His face turned to the side with widened eyes.
"Terrified of motherhood, yet eager to hold my baby in my arms. I would gladly take another way if it existed!" screamed Eve. She faced away from Coal, only to experience the sensation of a sharp object scraping her throat. A thin line of blood leaked from the blade pressed against her. Eve shivered. Fear coursed through her veins. Her hands immediately went to her stomach. "Wh-what do you want!?"
"Give me all of your valuables!" A rustic voice spoke out of the darkness surrounding them.
"We cannot," Eve responded trembling harder. "All we have in our possession are the religious objects needed for my sacrifice."
"I am not asking, I am telling you, miss." The man leaned in closer. The dim light of the fire illuminated his sneer.
Eve could see Coal in her peripheral vision, moving to stand.
Coal placed one hand behind to push himself up.
Eve noticed three other bandits suddenly surrounding him. They laughed sinisterly. She squeezed her eyes shut. Her right hand formed a fist and rested on her lips. Little one, I am scared, but I will protect you. Eve focused on her thoughts. Ensuring his future is my priority, but what can I do to protect my child? I am unarmed. Eve glanced over at Coal, who nodded.
"We must sacrifice her to obtain a miracle from Dai'lan'riku. So, he does not destroy everything. I beg of you, spare what little valuables we have," said Coal.
The fire's light illustrated the change of expression on the bandit leader's face. "Dai'lan'riku does not exist!"
Coal responded to the bandit leader, "How do you know?"
"He has never provided a miracle before," said the bandit leader.
"How about I make a deal? After we sacrifice Eve, if no miracle happens, you can take the religious items and kill me." Coal spoke calmly. He held his arms open toward the bandits.
The bandit leader snickered. "What if we kill you here and now?"
"You will not. You are curious. You want to find your miracle. As stated in the proverb of the Nalisille, "Though you seemingly walk alone, Dai'lan'riku does not abandon. Even if you are weak, hungry, or injured, hold steadfast, your miracle is coming."
"What happens if we don't remain steadfast? Bandits need to eat, as well," said the leader.
Coal replied, "Then I will feed you and give you rations."
The bandit leader removed his sword from Eve's throat. His brow furrowed as an unexpected emotion traveled throughout him. He wrinkled his nose and sheathed his sword.
"I will feed you, but I ask one thing in return-–for your men to drop their weapons from my person." Coal eyed the three bandit's surrounding him.
They immediately yelled, "Kill them, torture them, stab them!"
Coal again eyed the three bandits. He snorted at their outrageous demands. "If you have to kill, or harm someone, I ask for it to be me." He pulled off his solid gold helm, handing it over to one of the bandits. "As a token of my trust, please take this. That woman you held your sword to is pregnant."
Two of the bandits greedily reached for the helm.
The bandit leader, who once held a sword at her, glared. "You mean to tell me that woman is pregnant, yet you still plan to sacrifice her. What gives you religious zealots the right?"
Was that concern for me, Eve thought? Her eyes watered. She lowered her fist. Was this man concerned for her? Didn't he just hold a sword to her? "Please listen. Coal is not like that." Eve smiled.
The bandits yelled derogatory words at her.
The bandit leader screamed at his men. "Shut up!" He then turned to Eve, "Speak, woman!"
"I choose to do this, as no one else would. I stepped forward for the sake of my child's future. The precious one within me means everything," said Eve.
The bandit leader snarled. "You believe in this?"
"Yes, I believe. I believe, so I will prepare a future for my child at any cost." Eve responded with determination.
The bandit leader glanced away. "Well, we bandits have to eat, too. Feed us, and we will accompany you."
Coal nodded. "Very well, then. There is plenty for everyone."
Eve exhaled and her shoulders relaxed. She knew she wanted no part of their folly. Eve retreated into the only tent that existed. She laid down on the ground, listening to the merrymaking of the bandits until it lured her to sleep.
In the morning, she woke when the tent flap opened. The bandit leader stepped in.
Eve screamed as her top half darted up. She pressed her arms close to her body.
"I did not mean to frighten you. Your breakfast is ready." The bandit leader handed Eve some bread.
Eve took the bread gently from his hand.
The bandit leader sat down. "Do you believe you are doing the right thing? Do you think you are being fair to your child? Your child deserves his mother! Where is the father? I am sure he would have stopped you."
"Dead," Eve whispered, "My husband is dead."
"Then why sacrifice yourself, leaving no one to care for your child," said the bandit leader.
"I am so tired of everyone's judgments! Who else is there to be the sacrifice!? Tell me!" she yelled at him. "Are you willing to die?"
The bandit leader stood and abruptly spun around, storming out of the tent.
Eve screamed after him, "I thought not!"
Coal entered the tent soon after. He watched her hesitantly, as tears fell from Eve's eyes. She faced the ground. Her hands covered her eyes. "It's not fair."
Coal bent down. He rested his hand on her slumped frame. "It is alright."
"I am tired of them! I have faced nothing but opposition! You would think the other people would be happy, but they are still as miserable as ever! It is not them sacrificing themselves! It is not them giving up a life! I will never see my child! I will never hear his laughter! I will never see my baby's tears. When will it stop? My duty as a mother is to do what's best for my child."
Coal released her. "Dry your eyes, Eve. Try to understand where they are coming from." He removed his hand and faced the tent entrance before speaking again. "We leave in an hour. Get ready." He ventured away from the tent.
Eve glanced solemnly at the ground. Her hands rested firmly on her baby bump.
The bandits gathered everything up. Two of the bandits helped Eve mount her horse.
They journeyed half a day in the blazing sun until they came across a magnificent stone white temple. The pillars surrounding the temple stood taller than the building. Lush gardens of reds and purples laid throughout the area. Above the entrance hung the deformed head of a Dai'lan'riku statue.
While admiring the temple, Eve's water broke. The horse moved slightly forward, letting loose a disgruntled whinny.
Eve's hands clenched her stomach. The pain worked its way through her. She screamed.
Two of the bandits descended their horses, rushing to get her down from her horse. Coal dismounted his horse. He grabbed two items, a dagger and a towel to wrap the baby.
The two bandits helped Eve into the temple doors and laid her on the floor. Coal followed suit, entering the temple. He kneeled beside her with his knife ready. He cut away the garments around her stomach. With practiced precision, he gave her a Cesarean-section.
Eve barely had time to react to anything. Tears of agony slid down her face as she felt herself slip into unconsciousness.
After several minutes, Coal extracted the baby. Holding it carefully, he picked up the towel, wrapping the boy in it.
Eve could feel a creeping darkness. A sharp cry interrupted her thoughts, and she struggled to remain awake. Despite the blood gushing around her, Eve reached both of her arms out. Coal gave her the baby to hold for the first time and the last time. She held the baby, gently cuddling it. "His name is A'Ragnimio."