Janessa restocked the bandage supply, watching a blonde woman carefully use magic to heal a grievously wounded soldier. Healing magic could not fully heal a wound, but would stop it from being lethal and speed the healing process. If done right. It was difficult magic to work.
The woman had a sling on her back with a giggling baby in it. Janessa smiled at the baby. She couldn't wait to marry Gareth and have her own children. That was her primary duty as a royal woman, to produce heirs. She sighed, picturing just how cute they would be.
"You have a far-off look on your face," teased a brunette woman nearby. She had the extra weight of someone who had been a mother many times over. Her name was Aleeah, and Janessa found her to be an absolute sweetheart.
"Oh, just thinking about my fiance," Janessa said. She had decided to refer to Gareth as her fiance, rather than explain the whole complicated situation. They were as good as betrothed, anyways.
"You are so lovesick, girl!" Alleah laughed. Janessa laughed as well. She certainly was!
Janessa went around the room, providing food to the wounded, talking to the women, and in general, feeling like she had done more for the war effort than the entire time she had been in the harem. She certainly enjoyed these women's company more. She would even call some of them friends.
The blonde woman finished her healing spells and fell into a chair, exhausted. Janessa hurried over with water and food.
"Thank you," the woman said. Her baby fussed.
"I can hold your infant while you recover," Janessa offered. "I know healing magic takes it out of you."
"You do?" The woman handed her baby to Janessa. Janessa nestled the baby in her arms, cooing at it. "You are a natural. Do you have your own?"
"Not yet. But one day. My fiance is eager to be a father." Janessa remembered the conversation she'd had with Gareth after one of her father's concubines gave birth. The baby was not a redhead, so not allowed to be in the line of succession. But it was still a very cute little boy that put babies on the minds of Janessa and Gareth. Gareth had said how he hated being an only child and wanted plenty of his own.
"What is your name?"
"Janessa."
"Janessa. I am Elaney Copperstone."
"Copperstone? Are you related to Anya?"
"I am her sister-in-law. Her brother Dmitri is my husband," Elaney said. Janessa beamed.
"Anya is my dearest friend!"
"What a splendid coincidence." The women chatted as Elaney recovered and Janessa played with the baby. Eventually...