Chapter 28Night.
The deck of the Oceanid swayed beneath Aeneas’s feet. The stench below decks made him want to retch. His back ached from having to stoop. Wind whistled through gaps in the sealant, and people huddled against the chill. Ankhises’s cot was set up in the corner of the hold. Someone had risked lighting a lamp and erected a torn sail like a curtain around it. Mnestheos stood vigil in his cloak, head bowed. Perhaps he had already said his farewells. Aeneas and Kaieta each held one of Julos’s hands as they waited for the healer’s verdict.
At last Eumela emerged from behind the curtain clutching her kit. She shook her head. ‘Something has broken inside of him, my lord. There’s nothing I can do. If you want to say goodbye, you’ll have to be quick. He’s fading fast.’ And then, alm
