The man whom I had wounded had run shouting towards the palace, rousing the soldiers, both those on watch and those in their quarters.

Now these began to arrive and to gather in the glade before the clump of trees, for some guards who had heard the clash of arms guided them to the place.

They were of all races and sundry regiments, Greeks, Byzantines, Bulgars, Armenians, so-called Romans, and with them a number of Britons and northern men.
Seeing the Empress and, near by, myself standing with drawn sword against the tree sheltering the lady Heliodore, also on the ground those whom I had cut down, they halted.

One of their officers asked what they must do.
"Kill me that man who has slain my servants, or stay--take him living," screamed the Augusta.
Now among those who had gathered was a certain lieutenant of my own, a blue-eyed, flaxen-haired Norwegian giant of the name of Jodd.

This man loved me like a brother, I believe because once it had been my fortune to save his life.