520, villa of Desana: it is a special day for Stephen, a Roman patrician, and Valatrud, a noble maiden of the Goths: their marriage seems to herald a future of prosperity and union between the two peoples sharing Italy, still illuminated by the light of classical antiquity. Callisto, secretary of the villa, also looks forward to the future with confidence. Yet a terrible storm looms: the spring of hope will be followed by an autumn of war and a winter of death. Will Valatrud, Stephen and Callisto manage not to lose their way? What will light their path? Will an old book be enough to accompany them to the timid dawn of a new world?