Mayor Quid had been there for each initiation ceremony, spread the news of what freedoms and regulations the camp had, ensured the food supplies were stocked, wrote reports and permissions, visited the power systems and water supply, and then finally dragged her hooves back to ten 1032. She plopped down on upon a thick blanket spread up the floor and contemplated sleep.

Her baby kicked, as though sensing her distress. She patted her swollen midsection with a hoof.

"Don't worry, child, as soon as I'm rested I'm going to search for volunteers to delegate tasks to so I can rest more," she reassured her unborn fawn.

"Have you chosen a name yet?" Asked a kind voice.

She nodded, not bothering to look up at her visitor. Whoever it was. "In the likely event its a doll, my mate will name her Naulis. If I'm blessed with a jack, I shall name him Brac."

"Ooh, those are good names," mused the voice. Closer now.

Quid looked up, a miffed expression on her face at someone intruding upon her private moment.

Her eyes widened immediately and she shot to her hooves like she was made of springs.

"Lady Kaylay Dehoby, my apologies," she apologized as she began panicking. "I must look a sight. Um... Oron, fetch some plates for our... Ooh, that's right he's back in Dunee. C-can I get you anything? I-I have some breads and cheeses, here let me..."

"Peace," her guest said gently, the force of ancient times seemed to carry with it and the mayor fell silent as her guest stepped closer, a kind expression on her face. "I demand no special treatment from anyone. I merely wished to speak with the leader of this community."

Mayor Quid calmed down enough and felt the newcomer's telekinesis take hold and gently ease her down into a sitting position.

Kaylay sat across from her and looked to the shelves. They were very sparse.

"We donated most of our food to the kitchens," Quid explained, reaching out all the same to procure cheese and bread for her guest.

The Lady of the High Caravan graciosuly accepted it, complimenting the flavor of the bread. "Your hospitality good, Mayor. Our mate spoke highly of you after his meeting."

"H-he did," the jest gulped.

"Of course," Kaylay nodded reassuringly. "You showed no fear, were very respectful, and even tried assure him of the Medley's love."

"He seemed so down," Quid sighed as she began to calm herself.

"As a nic amongst sa his whole life, it has not been easy," Kaylay went on. "Even now to pull the Medley together from the ruins of the old world, he has had to demonstrate his abilities time and time again. From digging lakes to building mountains. He gets these moods sometimes when is seems he has to continually prove himself."

"But he is Max," Mayor Quid said in surprise. "Hasn't he..."

"Hasn't he done enough?" Kaylay finished for her, nodding. "Even now our neighboring nations, even those with our land, are twisting the view to fit their own messages. Shining a poor light upon him. Doing their best to make him appear weak."

Mayor Was Quid's scowl cut her face as her anger grew. "Those overbloated, inbred, egotistical, megalomaniacs in their ivory towers. How dare they. He's been nothing but a blessing upon the whole world. He even helped them... A mistake it seems."

Kaylay sighed. "My husband is very kind, the kindest Mur I have ever known. They think it makes him weak. They only think this because they have never witnessed the storm once his patience has thinned."

Quid gave that some thought. "Lady Kaylay, let me be the first to assure you, that no one is Dunee has anything other than the highest opinion of your mate."

"I've no doubt," Kaylay smiled at that. She looked to the mayor's belly and tilted her head. "May I listen to your fawn?"

Quid was swift to pull her blanket aside to allow access. "By all means. I would be honored."

Lady Dehoby leaned forth and laid an ear upon the pregnant what's belly and listened, a delighted smile playing upon her face at the sounds she heard.

"She's been active lately, full of energy," Quid chuckled. "To top it off, my mane is fluffing out like its meant to and even more. My milk is coming in fast as well, it was just small squirts a week ago. Im glad the stress hasn't been effecting mine or my dawn's overall development."

Kaylay pulled away and smiled. "Everyone seems to be very healthy here, according to the medics."

"We are a hardy lot in Dunee," The mayor grinned.

"I wonder if it will effect my fawns," mused Kaylay.

Quid gasped. "Are you with child as well?"

"My hundred and seventh," she responded happily. "But I'm referring to those already born, and those some other members of my mate's harem will be bringing with them."

"They are coming here?" Gasped Quid, shocked. Ooh, did she have so much to prepare. What was that about resting again?

"Some," Kaylay assured her. "The rest are spread through the Medley to keep the nation rolling. But a few of us shall remain with our mate, as is our duty."

Quid nodded understanding. "I'll need to find more ladies for my mate. It gets lonely being the only one in the house... For now."

Kaylay smiled. "I hope we meet again soon, Mayor Ess Quid. But I must go oversee some things. But first, a parting gift."

Two brass rings floated into the mayor's invisible grip. She looked them over.

"Many of my fawns have been biters," Kaylay chuckled, gesturing with a hoof to her own udder. The teats were pierced with square rings. "A temporary thing. It trains them to be more gentle. It doesn't no damage, just makes biting uncomfortable."

"Oh I'm aware," Quid laughed. "I was quite the buyer myself. I thank you for the gift, Lady Kaylay. I will wear them with pride."

"Just Kaylay is fine, or Kay," smiled the other jest. "Farewell."

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Another one down.

Hope you've been enjoyiing the story so far.