Greek and Roman
The Blood… ye Gods the Blood
“It was not flooded by showers, as brooks usually rise, but was swollen by a strange stream and turned into a torrent by the increase of blood.” […]
Battle
Viking
A Realistic Viking Brawl
“Thorir had a bear-hunting knife in his hand and rushed at Ospak, lunging at him, but Ospak averted the blow. Since Thorir had thrown himself into a lunge which did not find its mark, he fell forward on to his knees with his head bent over. Ospak then struck down on Thorir’s back with his axe and there was a loud crack.” […]
Violence
A Daring Raid
“Boldly entering the river himself, he ordered his men to seize the island, instructing some to swim and other to ride across as best they could, even though the deep waters made this dangerous.” […]
Eastern Europe
Out of the Fists of Babes…
“But the spear barely cleared the horse’s ears, and struck against his leg, for the prince was but a child.” […]
History
Battle of the German Barbarians
“There arose the cry of men exhorting one another, the clang of arms, the groans of the dying, and with such a scene all that whole day was drawn out.” […]
History
The Founding of the Templars
“By persuasion, prayer and every means in his power, he induced all such pilgrims as were men of arms either to surrender themselves for life to the service of the Lord in that place, or at least to devote themselves for a time.” […]
Eastern Europe
The Face of a Victor — an Ugly Victor
“Their hardihood is evident in their wild appearance, and they are beings who are cruel to their children on the very day they are born.” […]
Britons and Celts
Saxons Take What They Want
“And when the leaders of the Saxon army saw that the land was broad and fertile, and that the hands of the natives were slow to draw the sword, whereas they themselves and the greater part of the Saxons were without secure homes, they sent for an even larger army.” […]
Violence
A Kiss or a Kill
THE SCENE: After the Spanish General El Cid defeated the army of King Bucar of Morocco, he pursued the fleeing monarch to the sea. After cornering Bucar, El Cid offered him one chance at surrender: […]
Supernatural
An Inhuman Display of Athleticism
“Then Thrand Strider made a running leap at the wall, jumping high enough to be able to hook his axe over the tops of the wall and then pull himself up by the axe-handle until he got on to the fortification.” […]