After the Fall(50)

Gigi laughed and started to say something, but Athaulf took hold of Placidia’s hand, pulling her toward their tent and the blessing the bishop would pronounce over it.

She hurried beside her new husband, his big, reassuring hand grasping hers, as though he would never let go. She had always known she would marry a prince of a foreign nation, a non-Roman, and that much was true.

She had never once thought love would have anything to do with it.





Chapter 13


Shielding her eyes against the driving rain, Gigi looked out over the rough sea, the waves wind-whipped and streaming foam. Hundreds of watercraft of every shape and description were still in the bay and getting thrashed by the storm. Some, loaded with soldiers and horses, were already struggling to make it across the Strait of Messina.

Alaric had made agreements with the people of Rhegium and the surrounding hamlets for anyone owning a boat to help transport the Visigoths to Sicily, where he planned to spend the winter. Southern Italy was played out, and his people faced starvation. In the spring, the king would lead them from Sicily to northern Africa, Italy’s breadbasket. They would take the grain supply by force, thus putting a stranglehold on the Western Roman Empire, driving her once and for all to her knees. There was also talk they might permanently settle in Africa, which was why Rhegium gladly agreed to help, hoping to see the swift departure of the voracious barbarians, who had already picked their fields, vineyards, and flocks down to stubble and bone.

Farther downhill, pacing, Magnus looked as uneasy as Gigi felt. That morning, he’d asked her what she knew of this plan, if to her knowledge it had worked, but she didn’t have any idea. History was not her thing, after all. She’d only vaguely remembered hearing about the sack of Rome, her grandfather saying it was the beginning of the end of antiquity. But as for details about crossing the strait, she recalled nothing.

Gigi caught some movement and looked to see Magnus climbing the short rise to join her. His brow was creased with worry when he got to her side.

“Alaric has left a small contingent of soldiers for the last boat,” he said, “to protect the women and children on this end. For now, the bulk of the force will cross, then provisions and most of the animals, then women, children, and the infirm. It will take most of the day.”

She looked up at him. “With this weather, and those boats having to do roundtrips, I’d guess it will take a couple of days.”

“I fear you are right. The king keeps telling himself the wind will hurry the process.” Magnus shook his head. “He’s not in his right mind. I can’t understand this decision, this urgency to get across, especially in these conditions.”

“He’s been sick for ages.”

“Everybody’s been sick for ages, and he’s been sick often enough before this. That’s never stopped him from thinking clearly.”

Gigi shrugged. “I don’t like this. I wouldn’t try this crossing on a day like today in a Beneteau, let alone the rickety stuff he’s got out there.”

“A Beneteau?” He looked at her with curiosity. “A sailing ship from the future?”

“Indeed, and a very good one,” Gigi smiled grimly, “but I still wouldn’t go out today.”

Magnus turned back to the sea. “I have asked to go with the last of the soldiers, to be closer to you and Placidia.”

Gigi glanced at him, but he was watching the pier where the boats were being loaded. It had been nearly a week since he’d unburdened himself to her, and no matter how much she tried to make him realize it was all in the past, he was still angry with himself.

But today was different. This was scary, and she couldn’t allow him to go on like this. Reaching out, she put her hand in his and his fingers closed around hers at once.

“I love you, Magnus,” she said. “Don’t ever doubt that, not for a moment.”

He nodded and opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it and simply squeezed her hand. They stood like that for some time, watching as more and more heavily loaded craft dotted the strait. Sicily’s highest peaks had been shrouded in rain clouds all day, but now Gigi noticed the mist had descended lower still. The whole island was difficult to make out, the clouds darker and more threatening.

Gigi clutched his arm and cried out. A sudden squall was kicking up heavy seas, and boats slammed against one another. Several capsized, while others were listing.

Magnus saw it, too, and started running down the hillside.