Meanwhile, back in the city, a veritable reign of terror had been established. Fearing the return of the minotaurs, and rumours that former slaves were also involved, what were soon dubbed counter-revolutionaries, were hunted down throughout the city.
At all hours of the day, militias were roaming around, arresting people on simple grounds or unfounded accusations.
No one was safe anymore, not on the streets, and not even in the privacy of their own homes.
Rich or poor, early supporters and ardent defenders of the principles of the revolution, they could all be arrested by the militias.
Since it didn't take much to get someone arrested, the days of terror also became the days of political reckoning.
The prisons soon became overcrowded and ways were sought to solve this.
It was not long before prisoners were led to the scaffolds, amid widespread public scrutiny.
Mobsters were hired to turn the executions into real spectacles.
The executions became so popular that they were carried out in various locations around the city.
From early morning until late evening. And at all places, at all hours, there was always a great crowd of spectators.
And to keep up the pace, the executioners had to be replaced every two hours by people still strong enough to wield the axe. And the expertise of the people involved wasn't always taken into account.