By the time Alexandra had finished her meal and caught a short catnap in the cool shade inside the temple, most of the people had set out back for the city. Only a few remained, to escort her and the king as they descended from the heights.

Before them and below them, the city stood.

The ancient core of the city had been built on a small island named Ortygia, about ten stadia long from north to south, that stood just off the coast. Once the entire city had been confined to Ortygia, b...