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I dodge around her and stride to the arch that opens into the central cha all

Maraya sits on the floor, bracing up our or, her body sluloom beyond Maraya How has she come to rest in a Patron to blood She holds strips of torn linen, which she is plaiting to make pads to soak up blood

Cook crouches between Mother’s spread legs Her hands are blotched with stains The taper’s flah to illu scent Mypuddle of blood

A dark globe crowns between her legs

Cook says, "Hold your breath, Doma! You must hold your breath and push"

"It is all for nothing," ed tone that shatters my heart "The baby is dead"

Maraya can barely speak through tears "There’s another baby co, Mama You must push"

"It is better to die than chance the child will live in this tomb You cannot wish such a death upon her You cannot!" Despair ravages Mother’s voice

Froer in her hand "Pregnancy defiles the toes formy shoulder into her, I shove her sideways, then punch her in the chest The dagger is knocked loose I scoop up the knife as the oracle stumbles over a naked newborn on the floor My breath floods in bursts as I gape at the tiny, eiven no chance to breathe, no spark to brighten its souls into life

The oracle paws at the lifeless infant, cradles it lovingly in her skinny arms "They tore him away from my breast and killed him Why torment me with this memory of the past?"

Our scuffle has drawn attention Maraya, Cook, and Coriander all stare at me, mouths open and eyes wide, too stunned by my appearance to speak

A new contraction shudders through Mother but she does not even try to ride it Her self-soul has fled her body, leaving her weak and apathetic The thought offrom despair banishes every point of confusion in my mind