Chapter 47

Slowly, Dilecta’s defenders fell back before the greater number of nobles, soldiers and guardsmen who were summoned from other parts of the palace. Back toward the little door they fell, while shoulder to shoulder with the gladiators and with Maximus Praeclarus and Hasta and Metellus, Tarzan fought and the great apes spread consternation among all because of their disposition to attack friend as well as foe. And out upon the Via Principalis the crowd surged and the great gates gave to a shrieking mob that poured in…