After the Fall

by Morgan O'Neill

  “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.

  Gigi followed as lightning flashed across the sky, and the heavy rain picked up its intensity, the gusts sending it sideways. Wiping the rain from her eyes, Gigi tried to see what was going on. Overhead, thunder boomed, and she stumbled and fell.

  Three more boats pitched over in the swells, men and horses flailing, their screams rising above the howling wind. She got up and ran on. Magnus was headed for the end of the pier and she followed.

  Frozen in shock, Verica stood with dozens of others. “Their boat — Alaric’s boat,” she sobbed.

  “Stay here,” Gigi ordered, “and do not move. Stay where I can find you.”

  Stricken, the queen nodded, and Gigi pushed her way through the horrified crowd, grabbing people she knew, giving orders. “Get everyone back. Make room to bring the survivors on shore.” “Get help — get supplies — blankets — now.” “Don’t panic — whatever you do — they need you to be strong.”

  Gigi spotted Placidia scrambling down the jagged boulders underpinning the pier. Another bolt of lightning made Gigi’s hair stand on end, and the thunderclap hit almost simultaneously, nearly knocking the breath out of her.

  “Placidia, no!” she yelled just as the princess fell between the boulders. The sea surged over her, her arms flailing to find something to grab and hold.

  Gigi hurried over the slick rocks, desperate to reach her. As the wave receded, she glimpsed Placidia’s terror-filled gaze. “Placidia!” Gigi lunged for the princess as another wave hit, slamming her against a boulder — but she had a hand! She had Placidia! Pulling with all her strength, Gigi hauled her onto solid footing, but Placida immediately tried to head back to the rocks.

  Gigi held her fast, shouting, “What are you doing?”

  “Athaulf’s boat — I must help — my husband is in the water. Let me go — ”

  “No, Placidia! The surf will kill you. You’ll be no help, and when he swims ashore he’ll find you dead.”

  The words must have sunk in, because Placidia stared at Gigi, eyes wide with fright. “But … I can’t do nothing,” she wept. “I can’t just stand by and watch.”

  Struggling for a response, Gigi looked around and then spotted some women praying on a nearby hill.

  “Placidia, get Verica and go up on that hill and pray. You can’t jump in the water and kill yourself. I won’t allow it!”

  There was a flicker in Placidia’s eyes and then she was gone, thankfully toward the hill this time.

  Shouts. Screams. Gigi ran toward the end of the pier. Waves crested, crashing across the top, driving people to their knees, and sweeping some into the sea. Hulls of overturned boats rose up, only to disappear again.

  Pushing her way forward, she finally reached Magnus, who was grasping at swimmers and bodies alike, trying to get them out. Helping where she could, she glanced back, and saw most of the people had retreated. Some were on the hill praying with Placidia and Verica, and she spotted Randegund with them, arms raised, her white hair whipping in the wind.

  Along the beach, people helped survivors get ashore. Gigi saw a horse rise out of the waves, stumble across the sand, and dash up the hillside.

  “Magnus,” she yelled, “we should go to the beaches!”

  But he was staring out to sea, a look of shock on his face. Gigi followed his gaze and cried out. Athaulf, Alaric, and another man clung to an overturned boat, the sea roiling around them. Athaulf’s head was up, but not Alaric’s, and Athaulf had a death grip on the king’s arm.

  Magnus started for the water, but Gigi grasped his arm. “You can’t help them. You’ll die if you go in there!” He struggled against her, but she refused to let go. “You’ll take me with you if you go in — you choose!”

  He glared at her, then looked to where she pointed along the shore.

  “Over there,” she shouted. “The surf is pushing them over there.”

  He nodded, and they ran down the pier together, reaching the beach just as lightning crashed somewhere close. The atmosphere reeked of sulfur as thunder shook the earth. The surf pounded the shore, great sprays of saltwater filling the air, and Gigi could see huge boulders just off the beach. Even if Alaric and Athaulf survived the rough seas, they would have a terrible time avoiding the rocks. The beach was already littered with pieces of boats and rigging, and there were bodies everywhere.

  While Magnus kept watch for Athaulf, Gigi hurried among the debris, turning bodies over and checking for signs of life. When one man threw up a stomach full of seawater, she waved for help, and soon he was taken away to be treated.

  Gigi continued to search, finding several corpses beneath planks or tangled up in ropes, and then she came upon someone with an ugly, bleeding gash on his head, making her think he wouldn’t last much longer.

  She heard yelling, and turned to see a bare-chested Magnus start to wade into the angry surf. “No!” she screamed. “Magnus, don’t!”

  Gigi ran after him, following him in up to her knees, trying to pull him back, but he wouldn’t be stopped this time, and Gigi saw why — Athaulf was swimming in, his head nearly submerged, and he was dragging Alaric’s limp body behind him. There was no sign of the third person she’d seen on the boat.

  The riptide was fierce, nearly yanking her feet out from beneath her, and Gigi was helpless to do anything but save herself. She struggled back until the water was at her ankles, but when a big wave surged in, she turned and ran. Stumbling against something, she looked down and saw Magnus’s abandoned tunic and boots. Terrified by his daring, she took his clothes and hugged them to her chest, her cries carried away by the ocean’s roar.

  Magnus drove forward through the surf, inch by inch, until he reached Athaulf. Grabbing hold of Alaric, he hauled both men back toward land.

  Gigi dropped Magnus’s things and raced forward. By the time he reached her, Placidia and Verica were also in the water beside them, grasping for their men, dragging them onto the sand. Once ashore, Athaulf collapsed from exhaustion into Placidia’s arms, while Magnus and Verica pushed Alaric onto his stomach and pounded his back.

  Anxious over their futile efforts, Gigi suddenly felt a presence, something bitter, vile. Looking up, she spotted Randegund again. The old woman wasn’t praying any more, just glaring down from the cliffs, rigid except for her wind-lashed hair, which lifted and flailed, snakelike.

  Oh, Medusa has nothing on that bitch! Empowered, she turned back to Alaric. Okay, Gigi, she told herself, you took first aid as a Girl Scout — remember what they taught you.

  “Turn him over,” she commanded Magnus and Verica. “I know what to do.”

  Gigi balled up her fists and plunged her body weight against the king’s stomach, then heaved him over on his side. Water gushed out, but he wasn’t choking on it, so she did it again, this time getting some help from Magnus. Then she quickly tilted Alaric’s head back and looked at her husband. “You pinch his nose with one hand, clamp down his tongue with the other, and give him three deep breaths when I tell you.”

  Arms rigid, thumbs linked, Gigi rose up on her knees beside Alaric and started pumping on his breastbone, one, two, three, four … “Now, Magnus, breathe!” she yelled. One,
two, three, four … “Breathe!” One, two, three, four … “Breathe!”

  Again, Gigi balled her fists, this time coming down on Alaric’s chest with all her force, furious with him for not responding. “Goddamnit, breathe!” she screamed in English, then resumed the CPR, her arms and shoulders leaden, burning with the effort. One, two, three —

  “Gigi!” Verica grabbed her arm just as Alaric seized, lurched sideways, and spewed more water out of his body.

  Stunned, Gigi stared at Alaric as he labored to suck in air, his eyes wide with the effort to survive. It had worked!

  Numb, cold, and shaking, Gigi rose and stood in the midst of the carnage, only then realizing the magnitude of what she’d done in saving a king’s life.

  She glanced at Magnus. Having risen with her, he looked amazed and proud.

  Gigi threw her arms around his neck. “M — Magnus,” she said through chattering teeth.

  He held her tightly. “Bravely borne, my love,” he whispered into her hair. “You shouldered the burden of a grievous day and kept it from being far worse. Sweet Victory has granted us all another dawn.”

  “Victory,” she affirmed and nestled against him, “but not just mine. We did it together, Magnus.”

  Chapter 14

  The wind blew fierce, smelling of snow, as Gigi said goodbye to Placidia and started for home. After a day spent watching Athaulf’s children, she looked forward to getting back to the quiet of her own tent. The ever-patient princess was proving to be a great stepmother, and Athaulf’s little girls thoroughly enjoyed playing dress-up with her fabulous jewels and silks. As for the boys, Athaulf insisted they get civilized by taking advantage of Gigi’s musical talent. She had fought with them over this for days, finally reaching an uneasy truce — equal hours of music for swordplay — their precondition being that if they had to do her bidding, she had to do theirs. At first, the little demons ran rings around her, constantly whacking her backside with their wooden swords, but now she was finally getting the hang of it, and their butts were just as sore.

  Unfortunately, Athaulf’s sons showed little promise of becoming the next great boy band, but she was determined to get them ready to perform at the coming banquet to celebrate Alaric’s survival. Something from the Jonas Brothers? Or maybe Justin Bieber?

  Whatever, they’re kids. They’ll be a hit no matter what, she thought with a smile. They would certainly be better than Alaric’s minstrels, who sang nothing but the same bloodthirsty war ballads over and over again. Truly barbarous, she thought with a smile.

  Despite their Visigoth heritage, Athaulf had allowed his sons to be “Romanized” to a degree, encouraging their education in the Latin language, Roman history and Greek philosophy, but he had not relented in one thoroughly Roman requirement of childhood: the bulla. It was a locket worn by Roman boys to ward off evil spirits. Gigi had overhead Placidia requesting that he consider bestowing the amulets on his children, to no avail. She wondered if Athaulf would eventually relent. Wait and see, she told herself, knowing how much it would mean to Placidia.

  She blew into her hands, picking up her pace. Pushing on her tent flap, she stepped inside, trying to ignore the first twinges of a sinus headache. Rubbing her brow, she wished she could pop into a drugstore and get what she needed. She hadn’t told Verica, not wanting anything to do with the foul tasting, slimy-green potion she usually doled out as a cure-all.

  Crawling into bed, she burrowed under the furs and closed her eyes. It was ironic, but people were now coming to her for medical advice, since the strange new role of miracle worker had been foisted on her after Alaric’s CPR. These days, the awestruck Visigoths made way as she walked by, as if she were a life-renewing goddess. They’d even started asking her for favors, such as the blessing of their children. It was weird and unnerving, but nice just the same. Many were reminded of her arrival among them, posing as High Priestess of the Old Ones, and believed it was her true identity.

  Yet still, only Magnus knew her truth. She couldn’t risk telling anyone else, although Placidia had asked her point-blank where she’d learned how to bring a drowned man back to life. Gigi smiled, recalling how she’d scrambled for an answer, but then realized the simple truth was good enough, telling her it was a common practice among sailors. She even offered to teach her the method, but Placidia demurred, saying she hoped they would never again travel anywhere by ship. The recent sea disaster had killed many and devastated everyone in the camp, but at least there was one ray of hope: Alaric was getting better day by day, lovingly tended by Verica and Randegund.

  Those haunting blue eyes, frightening in their intensity, were always hate-filled and all-consuming. Chained to her memories, Gigi shivered. More than once since Alaric’s near-drowning, she’d caught Randegund staring at her, and she felt it acutely, as if the old bitch wanted to murder her with her gaze.

  But why? Why? I saved Alaric’s life, she argued inwardly. You’d think she’d be grateful.

  She turned her face into the furs, snuggling deeper, her headache fading, her fears threatening her still. She needed to forget Randegund. Gigi and Magnus had each other, and the bitch couldn’t hurt them anymore. Her children were seeing to that.

  Her thoughts roamed on to more pleasant things. She had her music, plus theirs, so many wonderful ancient melodies. And Placidia was going to take them to Hadrian’s Villa for the winter, where plenty of food was stored, and there would be shelter enough for everyone. After that, when Alaric led his people to their new homeland in Africa, then maybe she and Magnus could take a little side trip to Capri, even go to southern France. Or … ?

  “Gigi, where are you?”

  She roused herself, just as Magnus entered their tent. She smiled at him, stretching luxuriously, but then caught herself, recognizing something in his expression, something she hadn’t wanted to see ever again.

  “The king,” his voice was halting, anguished. “Alaric has taken a bad turn.”

  She couldn’t believe it. When she’d seen him a few hours earlier, he’d looked so much better. He still had a slight cough, but he was sitting up in bed, and he’d gotten his color back. Verica had just given him a big spoonful of honey, and for the first time in days, he was asking for something hearty to eat, to replace the gruel and soup she’d been feeding him.

  “Verica said you must come quickly,” Magnus went on. “Alaric’s lungs have filled with fluid.”

  Pneumonia? Shocked, Gigi threw off the covers, wondering what she could do, how in the world she could help.

  Magnus took her hand, and together they left on the run.

  • • •

  Randegund exited the stuffy sick tent and took a deep breath, seeking revival in the cool night air. Overhead, the sky was coal-dark, the stars distant white fire. She felt shriveled, ancient, and weary, a husk of her former self and overwhelmed by uselessness, for Alaric was dying, and she knew not what to do.

  Once she was well away from the camp, she halted and prayed to the ancient Goddess of Revenge, whispering to the night sky, “Mighty Nemesis, winged avenger, dark-faced Goddess of Justice! Fly through the night to the tent of my beloved chosen son, Alaric. Witness the evil done him, hear his agony. I ask — I plead — for retribution against Quintus Pontius Flavus Magnus and his wife, Gigi, for they alone are responsible for Alaric’s pain, having denied him the nobility of a heroic end.”

  Her voice was drowned out by the rising wind, and she swore she heard the deep whoosh of wings. “Implacable Daughter of Vengeance,” she said, raising her voice, howling to the roiling sky, “fly, fly to Alaric’s side! If it be your will, Great Nemesis, save him. But if he is meant to die, then hunt down his killers. Avenge him! Fly, fly!”

  Bending into the wind, Randegund fought the weakness of her aged limbs and slowly retraced her steps to Alaric’s tent. Near the entrance, Verica stood with Gigi, Magnus, and the Roman whore, P
lacidia. The women were huddled together, holding each other, weeping.

  Why had Verica called them here? Disgusted, Randegund drew back, hastening to the shadows. How could her daughter be so trusting, so utterly stupid? She shook her head, wondering why Verica loved these Romans — she leaned over and spat — wishing she could hear what they were saying to each other.

  I may yet cut out Gigi’s impudent tongue, if she dares make another excuse as to why Alaric was left to flounder so long in the sea, when she and Magnus knew — they knew — he was drowning. And as for the Roman princess-bitch who has bewitched my Athaulf …

  There was a sudden commotion from the tent, a deep moan of anguish. The need to be at Alaric’s side superseded her hatred and her aching bones, and Randegund hobbled forward as fast as she could go.

  Sweeping past the small group, she pointed to her enemies, and cried out, “You are not wanted here! Go away!”

  Entering the tent, Verica fast on her heels, she found Athaulf at the sickbed, his arm around young Theodoric’s trembling shoulders. The other children were huddled in a corner, silent and pale.

  Randegund pushed her way to Alaric’s bedside and fell to her knees, taking his hand in her own. Alaric’s face was paler than before, the skin a sickly yellow, his hands and arms mottled, purple. Death was near.

  With a great effort, he opened his eyes and whispered, “Athaulf.”

  Then his chest was seized with liquid rattles and he struggled, wheezing, “Mother, I see her!”

  A convulsion passed through him, then a shudder, and Alaric died, his final breath gurgling away to nothing.

  Randegund raised her hands in tribute to the departing soul and began to chant. She could feel eyes on the back of her skull, but she kept her gaze locked on Alaric’s beloved face — his death-face. She knew what they were thinking, knew they’d forsworn such rituals as nonsense years before, but they were wrong. She reveled in the knowledge his death vision hadn’t been of his birth mother or of any other woman. He had seen Nemesis just before he crossed to the darkness of the Otherworld, of that she was certain!