The Royal Council

Andromachos bows

"Of course, I understand. I will make for Antiocheia as soon as I have finished my business in Persepolis."

Strategos Parthiakes rises to address the Basileus

You honour me greatly, I will make hast to join with the 1st Parthian at Antiocheia.

After the army I used has been disbaned I wondered if any armies would take me into their care for a while?

Once againI wonder if any armies would take me into their service?

i hereby announce, that Phormion Epiphaneion Armeniakon will be my aid and advisor forthwith!

I heartfully thank my superior for his judgement in his decision and toast to the two of us and the Satrapy of Ipsos.

Old Magistrate rises..

With the death of Nikanor Kybiosaktes and the loss of 1st Parthian Army in a fort near Ptolemaioi border this army is as good as disbanded. A new army should be created if Basileus wants to replace it.

My condolences to Nikanor Kybiosaktes' and Apollonides Alindas Karikes' families!

What a dark day.... those Ptolemaioi are a fearsome and strong enemy

The doors to the Council Hall open with a bang, and Theodotas Pisidikes enters confidently, taking his seat in the Hall. His expression turns to confusion when the announcement of the disbandment of the Parthian Army. He stands slowly.

Fellow Strategos! Satraps! And the esteemed Basileus, and his heir!

Theodotas bows to the Basileus and his heir

I enter, once again, for military service to the Arche!

After surveying the situation, I am appalled by the situaion we find ourselves in. Half of the Arche is ready to rebel! How could this happen? Our great Arche, ripped apart from inside, and now the outside. Army upon army of enemies, all demanding our blood. And yet, while rebellion beckons from within, and hordes of enemies come from outside, many generals are sitting idle! What of your courage? Armies in the heartland of our land! Rebels roaming our land! Who let us fall into this situation!?

Maybe the Basileus should search through our numbers and find some who are still loyal; as I see some who may have been bought by Egyptian money...

Theodotas stops before he finishes the sentence, unsure, anger flashing over his face.

I beg of the Basileus or Chancellor that they let me into battle at once, I am eager to split the head of the enemy in two, and I shall bring back the heads of the enemy of the Arche, and give them to the Basileus myself.

Theodotas turns to the Basileus

I promise, my lord.

Theodotas sits confidently, eager for battle, but anger flashes across his face.

Sarpedon stands up, and he has a grave and serious look on his face.

"Your main critique cannot be pinpointed on any specific person, but if you need to put a face to your anger, you're looking at it. As the Basileus, I hold the ultimate responsibility for the well-being of the Arche. If you have any more specific critiques, you are welcome to address them to me personally.

As for "cowardly strategoi", that's a rather sharp tongue from someone who has spent years in his own private villa, until finally coming back today. Accusing people left and right for something you're guilty of yourself is not a good way to make friends when coming back from a long vacation from all that politics and war knows. Calling others out for treason is a much more serious accusation though, and if you do not have evidence, then as a friendly suggestion, you should hold your mouth. If you do have evidence, then SPEAK UP!"

As he had talked his voice had grown louder and louder, until he practically yelled out the two last words, taking a pause after it, with the words echoing faintly in the chambers. With a tempered voice again, he continues.

"To know of treason but not inform the Basileus about it is treason itself. Remember that.

All armies currently have a commander, so if you want some fighting experience you will have to speak with any of them to see if you can join. Or, you can go and fight rebels yourself. Perhaps join up with a few of those you call cowards and make yourselves useful. Such a force should be very mobile, and this would be a very cost-effective way of creating one."

You are too eager young one! You must find your feet before you can swing a blade in anger! The over zealous ones are usually the first to go. And your accusations of certain individuals whom you've not named is suspicious in itself! Make note of this young one. You've not gained my trust.

OOC: CP, Theodotas is 9 years older than Arrhenides so you calling him young is .. well.. weird! :laugh4: Also, he was the first Commander of 1st Lydian Army. ~;)

Theodotas stands, anger flashing, he himself tempted by the Chancellor's anger.

I was not pointing any fingers... at you. I was pointing fingers at non exsistent governors. But if you feel that I am blaming you, then something speaks itself there.

As for the matter of cowardice; if you think that so, fine! Send me into battle! Give me an army and I will throw myself at the largest possible army of the enemy! I am eager to bloody my hands once more. If you are Chancellor, use your powers. Prove your remarks, send me into an army. Make your words... true. he sneered the last part, scowling at the Chancellor before his face calmed.

As for treason; I was not accusing anyone of treason! I was stating the slight fact that it is a possibilty, especially what happened to the 1st Parthian army. The very, disgusting, problem that reinforcements never came is a worry in itself. I find this rings of treachery; and before you jump in nervousness, Chancellor, I am not pointing any more fingers at you either. Theodotas smiles wickedly at the Chancellor

I have not earned your trust, Arrhenides? I do not care! I do not need the trust of my fellow Strategos, but the trust of my soldiers, the trust which actualy effects your life. If you think me over zealous, send me into battle! I shall use it as a weapon! It has worked for many years now, and I still stand here to prove my point.

[I]Theodotas frowns slightly, before bowing to the Basileus and sitting down, satisfied with his fiery words

Sarpedon raises quickly.

"Insolent twat! Who do you think you are, coming in here like this and insulting me - me - like that?! Do you have any idea who I am? Do you have any idea where you are?! Next time you speak, I advice you to choose your words carefully: making me your enemy is not a good idea."

Andromachos looks at Theodotas coolly

"You must understand that if you rise against us, we will not fail in destroying you. Heed this, and think of where your true loyalties lie."

Theodotas rises once again, an offended look on his face

I am obviously projecting the wrong image here; I did not threaten you, Andromachos. I find your words rash, bold and not needed. You are quick to kill fellow Strategos, brothers of the Arche, a trait which will allow me say the same to you. I am suggesting things for the good of the Arche; you are suggesting death for the bad of it.

I am sorry for my unnescary words, Basileus, my tounge moved faster then my brain. I beg that others remember this mistake; several have made it thus far. I have nothing but the utmost loyalty to the Basileus, and the Arche. I harbour no intentions of treason, but the only intention is the need for the blood of our enemies. Whether that be a traitor to the Arche, or a Goddamned enemy to the Arche, I shall bring our Basileus theHEAD OF OUR ENEMIES! yelled Theodotas, his temper raging. he breathed deeply, before sighing and muttering There I go again.

Let us attend matters of state. It is deeply worrying that Byzantium is so underdefended. If we contine and allow our enemies to stray so close to Arche borders, and kill subjects of the great Basileus, it will not send a good image to others. I suggest a reinforcement army to Byzantium, or even a offensive army which can attack enemy lands. Take the offensive.

He bows deeply to the Basileus before sitting

Andromachos rises and speaks calmly to Theodotas

"You are the one to misread my words, Theodotas. I said that if you should rise against us, that we should not fail in destroying you. However, your personal attack towards me, stating that I wish to kill friends and brothers, gives a clear signal; you mistrust."

Andromachos nods towards Sarpedon.

"I suggest that Theodotas is removed from any influential offices, if he has one, seeing that his mistrust might lead him to misuse his powers. However, perhaps something else might be of order. If he could join me as my..companion in the Parthian army, I could keep a close eye on him."

Alkaios rose an eyebrow. "I believe my master would back up Lord Andromachos' suggestion. Someone who thinks before acting would be of much more benefit, and not someone who acts, shows brief regret and then quickly tries to steer away from the dangerous waters he himself has stirred. A hot head is rarely useful."

Theodotas laughs openly at the two Lords

Very amusing.

He stands

Remove me from a office of influence? I think it should be the other way around. I was raising suggestions, hoping they would build a better Arche. I was voicing my concerns for the welfare of OUR STATE. I got inot a arguement, and aplogized. And then; try and calmly turn to matters of our Empire.

And then you, you two, decide it is not enough, and keep attacking.

Theodotas turns to the Basileus, smiling
Am I missing something here, my lord? Can you see the point I am trying to make? These two Strategos, they are concerned that one single man is causing a arguement in the Council, and that he then aplogized for the unesscary words. They are more concerned over words, when we have good Arche men dieing constantly in battles with the Egyptians, battles they should be more concerned about.

Now let us turn to REAL MATTERS. Matters which are costing lives, matters which are discussed for the benefit of our great Empire.

I once again voice my concern for the defense of Byzantium. Large enemy armies are scattered beyond it, but the city is struggling itself. Is there anyway we can reinforce the defense? Financially? By military?

Theodotas bows to the Basileus and then sits down quickly

"Well, Theodotas, if you are so determined you can start by going door to door and ask for donations if you want." Sarpedon smirks. "I don't think you'd be very successful at that, though: I already have them paying me more than they value their own miserable lives, and still there is never enough.

I also want it on record that ever since I conquered I have been building up its defences. I have fixed walls, set up a system of recruiting the locals, I have made sure the local population don't cause any trouble and I will keep making sure that the 1st Lydian has what it needs to defend our western border. Yet there are other frontiers that need to be considered, lest you forget the Ptolemaioi or the increasingly bold Pahlavans still pose great threats. They Hayasdan are growing stronger with every passing day as well, and one would be a fool to trust them - and twice a fool to spend all resources elsewhere. If the Pahlavans were to go to outright war on us, it is doubtful that they wouldn't take the opportunity to do the same.

The problem with an offensive into Makedonia or Hellas proper are many. We first need to have the means to do it, and without looking down on Panaitolos' skills as a commander, I doubt he could do it with the forces he have now. If he then fails, who would defend Byzantion? Zeus? Ha! We would be wide open to the Epeirotes, and they're not ones to squander such an opportunity. Even if he, through some stroke of genius and pure luck, would win we'd be left with a new, large border to defend. The reason why we stopped at Byzantion was precisely because it was a good strategical position, and by going further in we would have logistical problems, a big border that would be much harder to defend and hungry Thraikians knocking on our doors and who knows what. It would be a nightmare.

Rest assured though that an offensive will come, but not now, not yet. The Ptolemaioi need to be taken care of first."

Sarpedon turns to Andromachos.

"Have you not heard? The 1st Parthian was destroyed: it surrendered to the Ptolemaioi after enduring a siege, and the Ptolemaian dogs were not merciful. But there is still the proposition I made to Theodotas, which goes out to everyone here. There are brigands and rebels rising up wherever they can, and by that you can not only gain promotions for yourself, but also do a lot of good for the Arche."

Panaitolos, long away from the council, had quietly seated himself earlier...

"Good strategos, it has been too long. Hail, Basileus. I thank you, and now agree that indeed while I do not doubt my own commanding skill he laughs an invasion of the Greek mainland is truly a mad plan. So I will leave that issue to another day.

To those who still uphold this idea, I have personally gone along with my scouts and know full well that at anytime the vile Epirote armies could march toward us.

Anyway...it is good to be back. I hope to see a bit of my home in Babylon before I must return to the front."

He bows to the Basileus and the council and seats himself

My Basileus, I would answer your call for commanders to destroy the rebels and brigands that trouble our land. Even now I am in route to one of our units hunting brigands in eastern Anatolia. I ask your permission to take command of your these troops and personally oversee this operation.

You have it. Now send those bastards to Hades!

A man walks into the council chamber, his head swings from side to side with an almost childlike exuberance. He gazes at each man in turn almost growing giddy when he reaches to the Basileus. He sweeps into a bow and speaks "Hail men of the Arche, today I find is one of the greatest days of my life. To stand so near to such great men, men who have protected and served this land with such grace, strength and above all honor. I am Patrokles Adiabenikos here to serve the Basileus with my tongue, sword, or if necessary my life. I have waited long for this day, and it is far sweeter by far than anything else I have ever seen! I only hope I can be of some use as a military man and advisor!
HAIL THE ARCHE!!!! HAIL THE BASILEUS!

Theodotas stands

Welcome Patrokles! With such devotion to our Empire and its leader, I only hope you may be one to act, unlike what is happening around here lately. We don't need more who think every time they raise their foot to walk, we need more who act! The fight must be taken to the enemy!

Basileus; if you need a commander of the army for an offensive into Greece, I assure you I could take it straight into that damned country and they won't know what happened.

I would also like to fight the rebels. If you see it fit to gift me one regiment to help, I will be thankful, but if I must I will fight the rebels my myself.

Theodotas bows to the Basileus before sitting

I know not what to say to such fiery words, Theodotas, I have a firm belief that the Arche has been in good hands for these long years, and only hope to mantain, even perhaps burnish that shine of glory

"Theo, I thought I had made it clear: unless you can take Greece by yourself, you won't gain any victories there any time soon. Your wish to fight rebels is a little more realistic, though you will have to give me a very good reason why I would give you any regiments first, or else you'll have to do without. I could of course let you use garrisons from time to time when you need it - so long as the city will stay in order in their absence - but that's as far as it goes. You will have to team up with someone else to get a more long term unit to fight with - I believe Andromachos was willing to deal with you? If I were you, I'd accept - as you're going on, you'll have a hard time making friends here."

Sarpedon looks at Patrokles and nods.

"Hail, Patrokles Adiabenikos. As the Basileus, I welcome you here to these Council Chambers."

Thank you basileus, I also will deal with some of the rebbelions that seem to rise like a wild fire, any fools thinking they are above the law of the arche deserve swift death. I will hopefully be able to do this with my own personal retinue, though if Theodotas and I can beat down our contrary views than I believe perhaps the two of us could be quite able to deal with the smaller rebellions.

Theodotas stands

Friends? You do not need friends in battle! What you need is your sword and shield, and fine soldiers under your command! If the Basileus wishes, I would ride into Greece with not a single solder under my command.

Patrokles, I am sure the Empire has been under fine command for these past years, but it is those who work for the Empire which make one, and some have not been working hard enough, if I may say so. I would be happy to fight alongside you though, as long as it means a gruesome death to those who dare fight against the Empire.

Andromachos; as anyone seen him lately? Or is he perhaps hiding? I do not need to say what he is hiding from though. Theodotas smirks, before sitting down

Nikarchos, Satrap of Mikra Asia, rises

Shut up, Theo. Friends is exactly what you do need in battle, I'd like to see you face 15'000 Epeirotes without any friend at your side. If you continue like this, you'd rather be stabbed by one of your soldiers, that by the enemy.

And turns to the new Strategos.

Welcome, Patrokles Adiabenikos. I'm looking forward to seeing you in action. May you not be a man of mere words, like some others here, and speak up like you were the Basileus yourself, although you did not serve but only nerve the Arche well until now. Peeres Theo.

Good luck, and feel free to ask me for help, if you need, Patrokles.