[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Really? That's so fascinating!" Astien gushed. And then his face fell, as he realized something. "Please, let's not tell anyone of this. I feel bad for leaving Cormac out of the loop, but.... the last time I told someone of what my baby was, and, I-I mean... They told me to kill it." Astien turned away, and clutched his belly protectively. "I don't want to think what would happen if they knew..." He squeezed his eyes shut, as if trying to avoid some terrible image. "I don't want to lose my baby. I can't..."