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Turning forwards as you run, you see Euanippe stirring – she is hoisted to her feet by the pair of priestesses, and you reach her before she can take a single step. She lifts her face towards you, her blond tresses tumbling in disarray, and you see that her face is a death-mask, her skin waxy, deep circles under her eyes.
“Euanippe – Euanippe!” you shout, shaking her by the shoulders. “What poison ails you?!” Your wife meets your eye, and her face reddens - then purples – tears flood down her cheeks, and her mouth flops open in a strange grimace – she emits only hitching sobs. Still, she does not speak – she cannot speak! Your hand catches a priestess by the throat, and tightens – you bellow in the woman’s face for answers as she paws at your mighty grip for breath:
<span class="mu-i">“SPEAK, VILE THING! WHAT POISONS MY WIFE?!”</span>
The choking priestess ceases her struggling, and with a shaking finger, points low at your wife’s torso.
You follow the trembling finger, and see that your wife is standing strangely – so that her belly protrudes subtly against her robes. Euanippe’s hands are pressing there, gently, gingerly. Is there some wound that you cannot see – a poison that has infiltrated her organs?! Your eyes flick back to Euanippe’s face, and the strange grimace is still there upon her wan features – looking almost like – almost like a smile?
But what could –
Your eyes widen in surprise, as you take in your wife a second time. Could it be –
Euanippe’s sobs recede, and a smile blooms on her face. Your beautiful blonde wife speaks hoarsely, saying –
“Oh, you great fool, Hippomedon… Dionysus Μυστης has blessed me.”
<span class="mu-b">“After all these years – we will have a child.”</span>