Stories Thread

[AussieGiant]

Constainople 1081:

“You should wear something a little less conspicuous Apionnas”.

The young man like the way the 'p' was kept silent in his name. His own companions where clearly mispronouncing it just as he was. Given it was actually his own name, he found the mistake a simple reflection of how foreign he was in his fathers own land.

“I am who I am uncle. I’ll not change myself to look like others, simply because I’m not.”

His uncle’s face creased in worry at this comment.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to declare to the world who exactly I am, but I simply wont lie to avoid irrational hatred and ignorance”. Apionnas shrugged his shoulders indicating there was no need for any further discussion.

“Yes but it’s a session of the Magnaura and you should wear something appropriate and in accordance with your fathers heritage!”

Apionnas thought of his father, slain all those years ago. What should he wear he thought, the French court cloths of his mother heritage, a traditional garment of his Byzantine father, the regimental uniform of his Mamluk regiment, or perhaps the cloths of a slave. They were all part of him. Finally he decided and with that began to change.

“Uncle, I’ve made my decision and while finding you here in Constantinople after all these years has been truly remarkable I’m more than sure my father would understand. I know your family…our family, has been reduced to virtually nothing and I will go to this Magnaura and listen to what these men have to say. Once I’ve seen for myself what this Empire is about and what it stands for then I will determine my next move.”

With that said the young man left, his uncle could only stare in shock as his nephew depart to into the street outside.