Stories Thread

[Kagemusha]

Kantakouzinos residence,the next morning.

Ioannis Kantakouzinos was having a simple breakfast. Bread, oil, olives, an apple and water to flush everything down. While the maids served this simple nourishment to their master, Naksos waited patiently in the corner of the room.

Once the maids were gone, Ioannis drank slowly the last few drops of water from a silver cup, without turning his eyes to Naksos he said:

"Were you successful? Does the princess now posses the book?"

Naksos took few steps forward towards his master and said with a happy smile on his face.

"Yes, the book is delivered. The boy who carried it into her chamber said that he was almost captured by the princess, but managed to escape through the balcony before he got caught. My lord, can i ask why did you want to give her the Illias?"

Ioannis shrugged to himself and replied with a little smile.

"I know that the princess is educated beyond belief and there hardly is an classic which she has not read. It is about the story. It is about how love and determination can bring down cities into dust and that men can do anything for love, even if it would mean death.
See, i have encountered the princess all my life as we are close relatives to the Komnenos and my interest towards her is not just merely to marry her in order to bring influence and prosperity to the Kantakouzinos family. I think i have loved her always.
The fact is that Anna Komnenos is lot more then just her staggering beauty and intelligence. She is a political tool and a weapon, in the arsenal of her father.
You dont court the princess of Bysantine Empire like any lass. If got caught of that could mean a scandal and even disgrace to princess and banishment of the man deemed guilty of that kind of behavior. Sure one can ask of her hand from his father, but that is a thing any sane man of noble birth should do. It is completely different matter what his father wills, so we must be careful, more then careful."

After a brief silence. Ioannis continued.

"Now Naksos, find out if there is any banquet this week, where the princess might attend.Those should be plentiful,since the Basileos is in the city and everyone wants to impress him. It is time to meet the princess in person"