Aelia yelped as the gladiator picked her up. She nearly fainted from both terror (Oh my gods I'm going to fall off!) and anger (How DARE he touch a princess of Rome like that?!) but forced herself to stay at least somewhat alert. [i]Aeli, if you didn't faint when your father cast you out of society and had you flogged bloody, you can't faint on a horseback ride.[/i]
Iulia heard a commotion from outside the camp, rather like hoofbeats. But there were two sets, not just one.... She dropped into a crouch, her sling dangling ready-to-throw from her hand, another stone ready-to-go in her other hand.