Look you, pagan blood still runs in me, and, Christian though I am, I would not dare one of the great gods of Greece and Rome.

I'd leave that to the priests.

Do you fear nothing, Olaf ?" "I think nothing at all, since I hewed off Odin's head and came away unscathed." "Then you are a man to my liking, Olaf." She paused, looking at me even more strangely than before, till I turned my eyes, indeed, and stared out at the sea, wishing that I were in it, or anywhere away from this lovely and imperious woman whom I was sworn to obey in all things.
"Olaf," she said presently, "you have served me well of late.

Is there any reward that you would ask, and if so, what?
Anything that I can give is yours, unless," she added hastily, "the gift will take you away from Constantinople and from--me." "Yes, Augusta," I answered, still staring out at the sea.

"In the prison yonder is an old bishop named Barnabas of Egypt, who was set upon by other bishops at the Council while you were away and wellnigh beaten to death.