It was the year Xerxes invaded Greece, Sosipatra and I expected it, but the Greek states, including Sparta did little to prepare. Leonidas did plan, he sent emissaries to Athens and other cities.

Leonidas planed to meet Xerxes's Persians in open battle and defeat him as his father was defeated, but he did not get the support of the Spartan state. Leonidas changed his plans, he would march with 300 Spartans and 600 Helots, and he knew no one would return.

I returned to my farm to see my wife.

"You are going north." Sosipatra did not ask a question, letters had been sent around the women.

"I am." I replied simply.

"I will tell our daughters off you."

"One last chance to produce a son?"

I took Sosipatra in my arms and took her to bed. We both wept as we made love. I said goodbye to my daughters and returned to the barracks with my two personal servants.

"You are dismissed from the guard."

"Why what have I done?" I was astonished and angry.

"Leonidas has ordered no one is to go with him who does not have a living son. He does not wish to be responsible for a family becoming extinct. You will be given a new assignment."

I felt ashamed not to be going, I thought about begging Leonidas to change his mind, even begging his wife to intercede, but that is not the Spartan way.

Leonidas's wife met me as I walked dejected. "Sparta is in danger, all of Greece may fall. Leonidas will slow Persian. You will help stop them."

"I should be going with him."

"You should follow orders. Go home to Sosipartra, let her know you will live a little longer."

"I have been dismissed from Leonidas's guard."

"I know and I am glad, I know I should not be but I am."

Sosipatra suddenly dragged me to bed. She ignored everything and pulled at my clothes as she half dragged me.

"I am yours, and I still have you, do with me as you please."

It was partly anger that Leonidas dismissed me, but mostly lust. I dove my cock into my wife and pummeled her body against the bed. She did not complain. I filled her once, I continued to stab her with my fleshy sword. I knew I was spreading my blessings between us and filled her again. Still I did not stop, I filled her once more and she came. Then I filled her one last time.

We lay there, she lay her head on my chest and suddenly I was aware we had not undressed.

In the morning we made love and I returned to the barracks for my orders.