back, pressed against the houses and fences which lined the boulevard.
Down that street, in a prancing trot, came two hundred cataphracts. The remainder of the Thracian bucellarii, returning from their own triumph.
When the cataphracts reached the cathedral they drew to a halt. The cataphracts in the lead tossed the residue of their vengeance at Antonina's feet.
Gasping and hissing, the crowd of bystanders plastered themselves against the walls. A few, timidity overcoming curiosity, scuttled hastily into the houses and fenced yards.
Twenty or so severed heads, rolling in the street, can chill even the most avid onlooker.
The grenadiers, on the other hand, seeing the grisly trophies, erupted with their own savage glee.
"NOTHING! NOTHING! NOTHING!"
Antonina moved toward her horse. Maurice, with two cataphracts in tow, met her halfway.
"Put these on," commanded Maurice. "I had them specially made."
The cataphracts with him extended a cuirass and a helmet.
"The helmet was easy," commented Maurice. "But the cuirass was a bit of a challenge for the armorer. He's not used to cleavage."
Antonina smiled. With Maurice's help, she donned the unfamiliar equipment. The smile vanished. "This stuff is heavy."
"Don't complain, girl. Just be thankful it's only half-armor. And be especially thankful that we're in Constantinople
Down that street, in a prancing trot, came two hundred cataphracts. The remainder of the Thracian bucellarii, returning from their own triumph.
When the cataphracts reached the cathedral they drew to a halt. The cataphracts in the lead tossed the residue of their vengeance at Antonina's feet.
Gasping and hissing, the crowd of bystanders plastered themselves against the walls. A few, timidity overcoming curiosity, scuttled hastily into the houses and fenced yards.
Twenty or so severed heads, rolling in the street, can chill even the most avid onlooker.
The grenadiers, on the other hand, seeing the grisly trophies, erupted with their own savage glee.
"NOTHING! NOTHING! NOTHING!"
Antonina moved toward her horse. Maurice, with two cataphracts in tow, met her halfway.
"Put these on," commanded Maurice. "I had them specially made."
The cataphracts with him extended a cuirass and a helmet.
"The helmet was easy," commented Maurice. "But the cuirass was a bit of a challenge for the armorer. He's not used to cleavage."
Antonina smiled. With Maurice's help, she donned the unfamiliar equipment. The smile vanished. "This stuff is heavy."
"Don't complain, girl. Just be thankful it's only half-armor. And be especially thankful that we're in Constantinople