Stories Thread

[GeneralHankerchief]

Cairo, 1124
The Agents' Argument

Confidential report
To: His Eminence Patriarch of Constantinople Nicholas III
From: Orthodox Task Force Brave Eagle, Cairo Branch
Re: Saracen Infiltrator

FOR THE EYES OF THE PATRIARCH ONLY. EXTRA MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE SECURE DELIVERY.

Your Eminence,

Saracen suspect was positively identified as Magnaura Senator Apionnas Vringas, of the House of None, and MIA for some period of time. Target was marked and observed for some time, with observers making careful note of his activities. Objective: unknown, but he was conversing with several known persons of mistrust.

Eventually Task Force Brave Eagle came to the conclusion that Target was notifying key persons about the incoming Crusade and several potential battle strategies to be used by the Greek generals. Agents made their move and intercepted Target before he made contact with another potential informant. His possessions were seized and Target was taken to interrogation to confirm agents' suspicions.

After several days of questioning the Senator was unresponsive until one night when directly questioned on why he was present in Cairo. Vringas answered using the following exact quote: "I'm here because I need to be here."

Fed up with the lack of answers, the interrogators switched tactics and attempted more persuasive methods to get the Senator to talk.

Agents then voiced the suspicions of Task Force Brave Eagle as to why Vringas was present in Cairo, especially a former Mohammedan to gauge his reaction. Suspect only responded with the phrase: "You aren't going to succeed, you know."

The interrogation continues. The important thing is that the infiltrator has been detained and the Crusade has not been betrayed, at least for now. Additional updates will be provided when additional progress has been made.

[AussieGiant]

Cairo, 1125

The Mansuriyya Commander stared intently at his Amir, waiting for any sign that might indicate the attack should begin. He quickly glanced back at the building that was clearly visible from their concealed vantage point.

While staring at the nondescript structure now ringed by some of his best troops, he thought back to the events over the past months.

He should have met Christian Hardy on numerous occasions, the process of cross checking information as part of the investigation was also a passive alarm of sorts. If either party did not show it meant something was wrong and the standing assumption was the entire relationship was in jeopardy.

That day had come and past, and after informing his Amir of the situation, the majority of the regiment was quietly tasked with find the ex-officer and ensuring his survival. It seemed the Infidel had some influence with the Amir and perhaps others.

At some point while recalling these thoughts of the past few months he quietly heard his Amir give the order to proceed.

The commander raised his arm, the lookout across the street saw the sign. A few moments later the company burst into action.

******************

The sounds of violent struggle and sword play reached down into the basement where Apionnas was bound tightly to a chair.

He waited, tension building in his body as the sounds of fighting drew closer.

Suddenly the door burst open, the familiar hooded form of one of his captors lurched into the room, blood running from a a deep wound to his arm, a wicked looking knife in his other hand. Realising his assailant had nothing but murder on his mind Apionnas began struggling in his chair, his bonds where viciously tight but that did not stop him from frantically trying to put distance between himself and the hooded man at the other end of the room.

The chair tipped, the world tilted, his head cracked against the flag stone a mist of red and purple descended. He realised consciousness was fading and with it any chance of survival.

He felt the cold tip of steel against his throat.

The next feeling would be the warm gush of blood across his chest.

The knife bit deeply, the blood began to pour...darkness.

[Warmaster Horus]

Somewhere west of Caesaria, 1125

Nikiphoros Manouelitis was had just ordered another pint of beer, when he returned to his table, in an inn by the side of the road. One of those places where people mind their own business, guard their pouches well, and wait anxiously for the next morning when they can leave for wherever they're going.
Nikiphoros was no different from them. He was with a couple of companions, on his way to Caesaria, where Ioannis Kalameteros was conducting a siege of the town. And Nikiphoros was going to join him. His main thoughts ran along the lines of "Finally, a true military posting!", and "Lord, will I be up to the task?". And those thoughts kept running through his head as he got ever closer to Ioannis' army. He wondered what type of duties he'd have. Maybe leader of the cavalry, or of the infantry? But in the end, he told himself, it didn't matter. He was going to serve the Empire, and that was the most important duty of all.
His tankard was brought back by his equerry Pavlos, who had served him loyally since his entrance to the Magnaura. He sat next to Markianos, Nikiphoros' bodyguard. The inn was quiet enough, considering there were about a dozen people in the room. But all kept to themselves.
Which is why most were startled when a man barged in the inn, half-wrecking the door, and although obviously very tired, shouted: "It is ours! It is reconquered!"
The barman, unhappy at the state of affairs, took out his knife and pointed it at the intruder. "Calm down! What happened that's important enough to break down my door?!"
"Caesaria has fallen to the Byzantine General Kalameteros! This region is Roman once more! Spread the word!" He said.
The newsbearer then proceeded to faint of exhaustion. The others turned back to their occupations, while Nikiphoros turned to his companions.
"If this is true, then we can rest here tonight. I had planned to go further on, but it seems it is not necessary. Ioannis will probably not need my company until the army marches again. Come! Let's have a good night's rest, and tomorrow, we can continue."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: The reconquest of Caesaria hasn't been proclaimed yet I think, but I think the inhabitants of a region would know soon what happened, and since Nikiphoros is in that region...

[AussieGiant]

Cairo, 1125

The blue robed Amir looked down at the figure on the floor.

He was a mess to say the least. Two soliders were binding his wounds while a doctor supervised their work.

"Will he live?" The Amir's question was without emotion.

The doctor glanced up. "Yes, he has a strong will and does not want to pass from this world just yet."

The Amir grunted a response.

The torn figure below began whispering something over and over again. He could just hear the words.

"shukran....shukran...shukran"

Nodding the Amir said quietly to no one; "Aafwaan, my boy. Aafwaan."

[Smowz]

Anatolia 1226

A cold wind bits through the air as Nevoulas ek Philadelphuis rides through the mountains in central Anatolia. He walks proudly with his long serving bodyguards along a well mark road, recalling the rough trails he had to come scurrying up the other way in his youth.

The last ten years had been long and uneventful, however as expected Nevoulas' short time in the Capitol had been far from it. He shakes his head at his own confusion of the debacle and often baffling practices of his fellows who practice politics in the main cities. Now, Nevoulas is happier riding through the country even if it is somewhat risky.

There was some concern amongst his elite bodyguard at the journey from Smyrna in the west the lack of any known villages or watchtowers along the route had concerned them and rightly so - there was still the threat of large Turkish Jihad armies lurking on the peninsula.

Upon cresting another the endless hills, Nevoulas eyes narrows as he sees a large army to the North. Shouting back at his troops he urges them to prepare themselves to flee - his small bodygaurd would be no match for an organizing many man Jihad. Steeling himself he turns to a to take a look at the army and try to decipher its size and direction.

Nevoulas hidden away on Rhodes for some time is unfamilar with the current set-ups in the Turkish army but he cannot believe what he is seeing - the set-up seems western in structure - almost Northern European. He gasps - surely, the Turks cannot have extended their realm that far. He had heard of ludicrious ambitions that the seljuks might travel north and around the Black sea but he could not have imagined.

Shaking, he considers the alternatives and suddenly it becomes clear - he had heard of the crusading movement declared from the Catholic pope. Eben further he discussed the rumours that some of the crusades had made it as far as Roman soil. This could perhaps be such an army - doubts form in his mind perhaps it is a trick by the Turks?

Wishing to inspect for himself - Nevoulas determines that he himself will go for a closer look instructing his army to continue on the road to Iconium, Nevoulas strikes out toward the great army.

Riding up to the army confirmed with some relief to Nevoulas that this was indeed a western crusade and not a Turkish Jihad as he first feared. Dismounting and calmly approaching them Nevoulas was greeted hostilely, these barbarians spoke Latin with fierce almost indecipherable dialect. He made out the words Alexandria and Levant quite clearly and despite trying to explain the more striking threats of the Turks conversation seemed to reach an impasse.

Resigned but relieved Nevoulas rode out to rejoin his bodygaurd, further down the road looking forward to meeting up with his friend Zigavinos in Iconium.

[ULC]

Adana, 1125

Iakovos dreamed peacefully in his bed, his wounds finally starting to heal. He dreamed he was in a field of flowers, his mother, father, and eldest brother there, waiting for him, happy to see him. The air smelled sweet and was pleasantly cool...it was so inviting...Iakovos thought he might just stay forever.

Evdaemon despised working like this. Poison was for the coward, an honest man used cold steel and iron! He shook his head as he watched Iakovos fade from the world as the fast acting poison silently and painlessly killed him, as ordered by his lord. Evdaemon turned to leave, only to meet the terrible gaze of Lady Veronica. He clutched his throat, now torn open by Veronica's lightning quick attack. Evdaemon sank to his knees gasping for breathe as blood poured out past his fingers. He gazed desperately at the blood as it dripped from his hands and pooled upon the stone floor. He felt the impulse to reach down and try to gather it all back up, felt as his body screamed for air. His world slowly blackened as his vision faded. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable, as if thousands were staring at him and laughing maniacally...and the laughter would never end.

Veronica felt her anger boil over as she used her concealed dagger to slice open Evdaemon's throat. As the pitiful man died a most slow and painful death, Veronica rushed to Iakovos's side. Her rage turned into sorrow as she felt his fading puls in her hands. "Please, Ike, not you...please, stay with me...you did not deserve this, please, oh please...stay with me...". Veronica held onto Iakovos, tears streaming down her cheeks, praying Ike would come back to her. She held him for the most of the night, held him even after the physicians were called, held him even after the last bit of life faded away from Iakovos. Veronica looked down, her eyes now red and her face stained from tears, at Iakovos, who seemed at peace. She smiled sadly at him, brushing his hair out of his eyes, and whispered softly to him, "I will always love you my Ike...now and forever...".

[Privateerkev]

Antioch 1126:

Makedonios sat in bed surrounded by correspondence, paperwork, and troop orders. An aide pushed a cart into the room with more paperwork. The job was one gigantic exercise in writing. Writing letters. Writing troop orders. Writing construction approvals. Writing, writing, writing.

Sometimes he wondered if his hand would be raw from holding the pen so much. But, when your stuck sick in bed, you have nothing but time. Odd that his illness could make him uniquely suited to the job of Megas.

Pausing to sip some tea, Mak saw an aide come in with yet another letter. Wondering who this letter was from, the Grandmaster noticed the aide was wearing Iakovos's livery. Curious, he undid the seal and looked at the letter.

Guards rushed in when they heard the tea cup shatter on the floor. With swords drawn, they entered to see their lord doubled over on the bed as if in pain.

The rushed to him. "My lord, are you ok?"

Makedonios roared, "LEAVE!!!!!!"

Despite not knowing why, the men were too well trained to disobey. They ran out of the room and closed the door. On the other side, they could hear muffled sobs.