It seemed the time for reason had passed.  Rather than join him in an attempt to escape, Antropos attacked again.  Nickolaus was breathing hard, trying to control the panic within ... frozen.  He caught the Amazon's stern look ... and then her wink.  It struck him as odd, and then he got angry.  All his life, woman were a commodity ... a means to an end.  He loved them, but never ...<em>never</em>... had he treated them as equals.  And he was not about to start now.  She may be a giant, and formidable ... but she was still a woman ...<br/><br/>When she parried his next attack, dodging and striking him hard in his abdomen, Nickolaus acted.  He raised his sword over his shoulder and clumsily rushed the apparently distracted opponent.  He did not know if he would strike her with his sword ... hesitant to mar such a sexual perfection ... or simply bull into her, hoping to knock her off her feet.  Once on the ground, perhaps he and Antropos could subdue her ...