Return to Me - By Morgan O'Neill Page 0,57

kill the children. I told you before, Sergeric wants to wipe out Athaulf’s bloodline.”

Placidia gasped. “We must get them out of here — get them to safety!” Taking Gigi by the shoulders, she frantically added, “We must run! We must save the children.”

“Placidia!” Gigi sensed she had a small window of opportunity to get this right, and needed a moment to think. She wrapped her arms around the queen and pulled her close, rocking her, as Placidia had rocked the children. “I think if we run now, somebody is sure to track us down. We’d only be putting off the inevitable. We have to make them think they’ve succeeded. Do you understand?”

Gigi felt the slightest nod against her shoulder.

“There’s enough blood to convince anyone,” Vana quietly offered. “Do you think if we hid the dead man, perhaps — ?”

“Oh, Vana, that’s perfect!” Gigi said, grasping at the edges of a plan. “If we get him out of here, and take the children with us, they’ll be safe, but someone has to tell the bishop they’ve been killed, their bodies disposed of. I know it will be horrible, but Placidia, to save the children you must stay behind and tell everyone they were murdered.”

The queen blanched at this, but Gigi shook her head. “Only you can do this.”

Placidia stared at Gigi, and then took a deep breath. “I understand.”

Gigi hugged her. “Take off Vana’s tunic. It’ll be more believable if they see your bloody gown.”

After this was done, she and Vana moved to the grizzly body. Vana grabbed the legs, and Gigi grabbed under the arms. When they lifted him, more blood poured out. Vana slipped in the gore and crashed to her knees. As she struggled to regain her footing, Gigi wondered how they would accomplish this. The mimi was surprisingly heavy and would be awkward to carry any distance.

Gaila hurried to their side and pulled off her palla. “Wrap him in this, like a shroud. It will be easier to carry him,” she said, then turned to her older brother. “Beremund, you are the strongest. You must help.”

Gigi glanced at him and saw the frightened fourteen-year-old shake his head and try to look brave. “I’ve been in training, and I’m nearly a man. I’m staying to fight.”

Before Gigi could say a word, Placidia was holding his face in her hands, her voice shaking with intensity.

“My sweet boy, you are brave, a good son. Your father would be so proud of you, but you cannot stay! They are killing your father’s bloodline, and that puts you at the top of the list! Please understand, you must be alive to avenge your father. You must go, for now, and live to fight another day.”

Beremund bowed his head, his expression bitter but resigned.

After kissing his brow, Placidia took each of Athaulf’s children in turn, speaking to them, hugging them. While the queen did this, Gigi and Vana worked furiously to wrap the assassin’s body. When they were done, Gigi looked up to see Placidia holding little Marga in a fierce grip.

Gigi went over to them just as Placidia said, “I love you, my Margareta. Remember that always. Every night, I shall give you a thousand kisses in my … in my dreams.” Her voice caught and she looked up at Gigi, her eyes welling. “Promise you won’t let her forget Athaulf and me. Promise.”

Gigi nodded, realizing Placidia had already guessed she might never see the children again.

“Tell her about me every day,” the queen insisted. “And … do you recall what I told you about burning of letters?”

She nodded. “I will have Marga write them to you, and I’ll send them on, Placidia, I promise,” she said, without adding the rest about death, smoke, and heaven.

“Be happy, Mama,” Marga said, touching her mother’s tears, then hugging her tightly.

Placidia tried to smile, but her face crumbled. “Oh, Marga, my sweet babe!” She broke down and sobbed. “Return to me! You must, you must … ”

Marga started to wail, and Placidia hugged her until the little girl finally quieted, exhaustion setting in. “Keep her safe,” the queen said as she tearfully handed Marga to Gigi.

Holding the child, Gigi barely held herself together as Vana and Beremund picked up the corpse, as Gaila herded the younger kids out the door. They passed through the bishop’s rooms and out his private exterior door, leaving Placidia to play her part.

Before the door closed, Gigi heard the queen’s voice rise in wails of anguish. She knew Placidia wasn’t