Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 5, 2025
Your Sublimity will see that it is impossible to delay him. Teeth hard set, and eyes aflame, the Hun took a step forward. In the same instant, Venantius laid a hand upon his sword, and, at the gesture, his armed men looked to their weapons. 'Where is this Basil? demanded Chorsoman. 'I will let him know if you wish to speak with him, replied Marcian. 'You shall be spared the trouble.
'I told you before, good Basil, that I was here to spy upon you; and be sure that I did not undertake that office without exacting a proof of the confidence of our lords at Rome. Something I carry with me which has power over such dogs as Chorsoman. 'I saw that, best Marcian. But it did not avail to save my cousin Aurelia from robbery.
Chorsoman gave a glance at the soldiers in his rear, then at Marcian, and smiled grimly. 'I fear you must go without lord Basil. I shall have need of him. There was a very short silence; then Marcian spoke, with bland decision. 'Commander, this cannot be. Basil carries letters of urgency to Rome and Ravenna; letters which I would not intrust to any one else.
Bessas had just received despatches from Cumae, which acquainted him with the story of Veranilda's disappearance, so far as it was known to Chorsoman; he wore a heavy brow about the business, swore that the Gothic damsel should be found, if it cost the skins of all who had had anything to do with her.
Of the profound contempt proclaimed, rather than disguised, by Marcian's extravagant courtesy, Chorsoman had no inkling; but his barbaric mind resented the complexity of things with which it was confronted, and he felt a strong inclination to take this smooth-tongued Latin by the throat, so as to choke the plain truth out of him.
'Nothing would, where Chorsoman was sure of a week's nay, of an hour's impunity. But did he steal aught belonging to the Gothic maiden? 'To Veranilda? She has but a bracelet and a ring, and those she was wearing.
'You will pardon me, lord, he replied, 'if I do not stay to break my fast. I am of impatient humour, and never willingly linger when a journey is before me. 'As you will, said Chorsoman, with a slight knitting of his brows. 'You ride alone, I suppose? 'The lord Basil, who starts for Rome, will give me his company as far as our ways are one.
Basil was led in, and presently stood before the military governor of Cumae; this was a Hun named Chorsoman, formerly one of Belisarius's bodyguard. He spoke Latin barbarously; none the less was his language direct and perspicuous.
To resist is war, and this villa cannot be held for an hour. Yet to yield is most likely to be made prisoners. Marcian! Marcian was watching and listening with a look of anxious thought. Appealed to for his counsel, he spoke decidedly. 'Withdraw your men and go down. Resistance is impossible. Chorsoman must enter, but trust me to manage him. I answer for your liberty.
So he led Basil aside, told him of the messenger sent to Cumae, as well as of the inventions by which Chorsoman had been beguiled, and counselled mere inaction until news came.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking