Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

baby off a cliff!” I scream out, trying to breathe between pains that are worsening.
    She closes the door, understanding. “We’re going to get in trouble Alcina! Sparta’s the only one who gets to decide who’s fit or not.”
    I try to sit up. “I’ll say I was outside in the fields, and the baby came so fast.”
    Ophira helps me get through hours of labor. She tells me to get on the floor and kneel while she supports me. Kneeling feels much better than the pressure my belly put on me. When I feel the urge to push, I push, not able to stop as I feel myself tear open. I can only scream as Ophira catches my squirming baby boy. She cleans him and lifts him up for me to see. Strong and so loud, he’s every Spartan woman’s dream. I know he’ll pass the Spartan test for sure. I feel foolish now, realizing my dream was nonsense.
    I start getting contractions again, and Ophira instructs, “Push the afterbirth,” but she soon screams, “Another son!”
    We’re crying from the shock, and I use all the strength I have left to push off the bed to see the surprise in her hands.
    My heart sinks.
    He must be half the size of the firstborn. His color is poor, and he isn’t making any noise, even after Ophira spanks him—no cry, only struggling fish-like gulps of air. We don’t speak for a long time, and the air carries the metallic smell of blood. I stare on as Ophira cleans and bundles up each one. She puts the firstborn baby in my arms; I name him Arcen. She drapes her cloak around her shoulders, cradles the second baby, and she comes over to get him.
    I hold on to Arcen and say, “There must be something we can do?”
    She speaks through her tears. “There’s nothing we can do; it is your Spartan law!”
    “Wait a moment, I have to think.”
    She hesitates but looks like she lost all hope.
    I gasp and say, “Spartan mothers cannot raise a weak boy, but they care nothing of weak helot children!”
    It takes one minute to register, and then her eyes widen in shock at the idea.
    “You want me to be his mother?”
    I nod with tears of joy.
    “No, I don’t even have a man. No one will believe this!” she says backing up as if she can walk away from this.
    “Leander has not seen you in months. No one knows about you or if you have a husband away fighting. I bet no one will even ask.”
    I move back toward her and pull the blanket down to show the weak one’s little face. She looks down at the fragile, pale baby who studies her face through its narrow swollen slits.
    “Look at this child! How can you hand him over to be thrown against rocks! Rocks,
    Ophira!”
    Her eyebrows pinch together under her scar. “How will I even feed this child?”
    “I’ll send for a wet nurse for Arcen, and I’ll nurse this one in secret.”
    She looks again at him, smiles, and says through happy tears, “I will call you Theodon, god-given.”
    Ophira puts her cloak back on and readies to take Arcen to Leander. I give Arcen a parting kiss, knowing I’ll see him again. Ophira fishes out her medallion and lifts it over her head and free of her long wavy hair.
    She places it over Theodon’s tiny head, and as she tucks it into his blanket, she whispers, “For protection and strength.”
    As they leave, I gaze out to the sun setting in a red sky and sit to nurse Theodon. When I look down at his tiny face, I know I already love him.
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    Leander returns that night glowing and proclaims, “I held my son up for all to see, and the Lesche all said there has never been a stronger baby seen!”
    My heart wells with pride. Leander has never talked this much for so long. Everything is blooming.
    Leander hears another baby crying, and he looks at me, perplexed.
    “That is Ophira’s son. She gave birth a few weeks ago.”
    He cocks his head to the side. “Is she married?”
    “Yes, her husband has been away fighting in the Citizens’ Army for months.”
    I note to be sure to tell him of his death in battle soon.
    “Well, I’m sure he is not anything like the son we have!” He holds Arcen up in the air, hardly supporting his rolling head. “Strong one!”
    Leander goes back to his men, and a specialized helot comes to nurse Arcen. She takes over his care entirely. I miss much sleep sneaking in and out of Ophira’s room nursing Theodon. Even though I’m tired, these moments of closeness in the dark with him are such peaceful moments; moments I lost with Arcen. Every respectable Spartan