Under the Twelfth Vulture

[bunn]

In Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers, Aquila deserted the Eagles when they flew from Britain, but his friend Felix obeyed the call and sailed away to defend failing Rome. Aquila never knew what had happened to Felix. I thought I'd find out. Somehow this ended up as 3159 words, but given that it includes both a epic battle, the fall of Rome, AND two

Comments

[ningloreth]

I've said it before, but you have a wonderful ability to conjure up a very specific setting in so few words -- that first paragraph puts us right in Constantinople. I love the way Felix narrates the sack of Rome so naturalistically, but my favourite parts are the glimpses you give us of Felix and Helena's relationship. I also liked the way you made Leo Marcellus so mysterious... And left open the teeny tiniest possibility that Felix might once again have found himself involved in great events.

BTW, are you familiar with iTunes U? There is an Open Yale course called 'Early Middle Ages', which covers the fall of Rome and the rise of the Barbarian kingdoms, plus the survival of Rome in the east, and the rise of Islam... I'm really enjoying it.

[bunn]

Well, this was much easier than Egypt - I've been to Istanbul, and I admit that Felix's inn with its awning & cushions is pretty much one where we had lunch. I reason that, you know, quite a lot of stuff has been going on in a civilised sort of way in Istanbul for so long, so why not the pavement cafe (only without coffee, presumably).

I have not come across iTunes U! I will have to have a look at that, it definitely sounds like my sort of thing.

[emma_in_oz]

I especially liked the historical notes at the end which put all I had read into context.

[bunn]

I don't seem to be able to write fiction without a mountain of notes, I'm pleased you enjoyed them!