Malchus – a captain of cavalry

Marcian* – eastern Emperor, 450-457, married to Pulcheria

Nemesianus – a wealthy man of Aquileia

Nicias – a Cretan alchemist

Noyan – Hun general

Odoacer* – a Gothic warlord

Orestes* – a Greek by birth, Attila’s lifelong companion

Priscus of Panium* – a humble scribe

Pulcheria* – sister of Theodosius II

Romulus Augustulus* – the last emperor

Sabinus – Legionary Legate of the VII at Viminacium

Sangiban* – King of the Alans

Tarasicodissa Rousoumbladeotes* – Isaurian chieftain, also known as Zeno

Tatullus – First Centurion of the VII at Viminacium

Themistius* – an orator

Theodoric* – King of the Visigoths, 419-451

Theodoric* – Visigothic prince, eldest son of King Theodoric

Theodosius* – eastern Emperor, 408-450

Torismond* – Visigothic prince, son of King Theodoric

Valamir – Visigothic wolf-lord

Valentinian* – western Emperor, 425-455

Vigilas* – a Byzantine courtier

PART I

The Fury

1

MARGUS FAIR

The southern banks of the Danube, AD 449

A morning in early summer. The great river meandering slowly through the rich Moesian plains and eastwards to the Euxine Sea. A patchwork of ploughland and meadow, and further away from the town, blossoming orchards and copses of ancient woodland. The smaller River Margus flowing down northwards from the hills to join the majestic Danube.

Darting over the surface of the water, the bright green metallic flash of damselflies, and columns of tiny waterflies rising and falling in the warming summer air. Willows along the banks of the river and alders beside the damp streambeds. Black poplars releasing their fluffy white seeds in clouds, landing and revolving and floating on downstream.