There was a sudden relief in her abdomen and then the sound of a baby crying.

“Oh, by the gods!” yelped the midwife.

“What? What’s happened?!” demanded Agathia, but the midwife did not speak. Slowly, exhaustion weighing her down, Agathia leaned forward to see her newborn child. There, lying on the hay, was a beautiful baby boy, covered in blood. The midwife backed slowly into a corner, eyes never moving from the baby boy. Still crying, Agathia lifted the child into her arms. “I demand to know! What’s happened?!”

“Mum. There’s …” she staggered, still not able to speak. She reached forward, towards where the first baby had come. There was a sharp pain in Agathia’s abdomen area, and then it was gone. “I’ve done my part,” said the midwife. She placed something on the hay and started to the door. Halfway there, she turned and vomited. Agathia leaned forward and gasped. There, on the hay, lay the lifeless body of a baby girl, her umbilical cord tied tightly around her neck.