Stories Thread

[Privateerkev]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This story is a co-op between TheFlax and myself. It is set, not coincidentally, 9 months after this story.

Constantinople 1134:

The small party made it's way through the storm sewers below the capital. Coming up a ladder, they arrived in a cellar. Leaving men behind to keep an eye on the sewers and cellar, the rest quietly made their way through the vast estate with the aid of perfect directions.

Arriving at the right room, Makedonios knocks and then opens the door, leaving the rest out in the hallway.

In the room, Anna was lying asleep in an expansive and luxurious bed. Even in her rest, she seemed weary and completely spent. Nearby, there was a crib with a newborn baby also sleeping for the time being. Overlooking the infant was an older woman than Anna with a severe expression. Her graying hair was pulled back into a bun for practicality and her sharp eyes immediately turned to Makedonios as he entered.

The Megas looked at the midwife and jerked his thumb in the direction of the door. She scowled at him in return. He put a finger to his mouth to signal her to be silent. He then pulled out his seal of office, gave her a stern look, and again jerked his thumb towards the door.

She relented and left. A couple of his guards took her down the hallway and sat her in a side room. Orders had been quietly changed to make sure no staff were assigned to this part of the estate on this night. No one would know Makedonios or his men were here.

Makedonios walked over to the crib to see his son. He remembered when Anna had snuck into his bedroom decades ago and he smiled. Quietly walking back over to her bed, he bent over, laid a hand on her shoulder, and gently woke her up. "Anna..."

Anna mumbled something inaudible as she slowly opened her eyes, blinking several times her vision finally focused itself on the origin of the voice who had called her name. She gave him a tired smile.

"Makedonios... thank you."

He lovingly brushed hair from her forehead. "I'm the one that should be thanking you. He looks wonderful. For obvious reasons I can't stay long. But there are a couple things we need to talk about. Would you like to hold him while we talk?"

She propped herself to a sitting position and looked at the infant. In hushed tones she answered Makedonios. "Best not wake him if you want to be discreet."

He nodded and sat next to her on the bed. "Alright, we haven't spoken about this stuff in letters for obvious reasons. But I hope you understand that I quite simply need to take him with me tonight. He isn't safe here. I admit I have been beside myself with worry ever since I got your cryptic letter."

The new father glances over in the direction of the crib. "You know how these things play out. Someone in the family tree gets afraid and seeks out all those who might have a claim to the throne. I fear by creating him, you and I put our son in grave danger. He needs to disappear. I hate to take him away from you but I would hate even more to think of what might happen if your husband, or even worse, your older brother started getting paranoid."

"Yes, you have to take him." Anna glanced once more at the newborn. "I only ask you write to me about him, whenever you have the opportunity to do so."

He nods again. "Of course I will. But keep in mind that he won't be with me. For his own safety, I'll have to stay away from him as well. I'll know where he is, and I'll keep an eye on him, he will have to go through his whole childhood without knowing us."

Makedonios looks at her and allows himself a small comforting smile. "Do you have any questions?"

Exhaustion increasingly apparent, she shook her head lightly with her eyes downcast.

He looked at her sympathetically. "We're almost done. I know you need your rest. There is just one more thing to figure out. What do you wish to name him?"

"I thought you would want to name him." She chuckled. "My husband dislikes most of the name I've chosen for my other children."

He smiled. "I feel singularly inadequate to the task. Plus, he might never meet you. I think it would be nice if he had something from you. It won't be the name he has in public of course. But it will be his 'real' name."

"Very well." She paused a few moments to reflect upon an appropriate name. "Constantine, yes, he shall be our little Constantine. I trust you will make sure he is baptized soon?"

Mak nodded. "I like it. A good strong name. Shame no one will ever know it. And yes, I'll get him baptized. I have it all arranged. Oh yes, you get to be the first to know. I've decided I'm going to retire as Grandmaster. And I'm not running for re-election as Megas." He looks over at the crib. "I have other things I have to take care of now."

He stands up. "I know your exhausted so I'll take my leave." He leans over and kisses her on the forehead.

"May God watch over you Makedonios." Her features voiced a sadness she could not express in words.

The Megas walks over to the crib and gently picks the baby up for the first time. Little Constantine stirs a little but doesn't wake up. He walks back over to Anna while gently bouncing. He speaks in almost a whisper. "One last thing. He has to die. It's the only way we'll keep him safe. When my men let the midwife back in here, I need you to tell her the baby didn't make it. Tell her I took care of... the disposal. I don't expect everyone to believe it but it might throw people off enough. If we want this little guy having any sort of future, he simply can not exist."

He pauses a moment to see if Anna wants to say goodbye to her child.

Anna only gave a simple nod of understanding.

Taking the queue, Makedonios left the room.

[ULC]

1140, Constantinople

Nikolaos climbed the steps of the Magnaura in the red and white of his House, his robes flapping in a light breeze. He quickly made his way towards the entrance, which was a set of magnificent doors, each elegantly crafted, with an attending Varangian at each side. Nikolaos's thought suddenly drift back to when he was once a member of their ranks, and the day it had all changed...

---------------------------

1126, Constantinople

Nikolaos moved nervously from foot to foot, standing in the Imperial Palaces halls in his uniform and ceremonial armor, both scrubbed so clean as to look brand new. He had been summoned from his duties guarding the Magnaura by the Basileus himself, for a purpose beyond him other then "appear your best". He had waited almost an hour at this point, and when a page had come out, he had rushed over to ask if it was time. Nikolaos's huge size easily dwarfed the poor man, who was taken offguard by the Varangian, but he quickly recovered.

"I am sorry, the Basileus is in attendance with a noble at this moment, discussing state business...please be patient." The page turned past Nikolaos and announced another name, something about a Genoese Merchant.

Nikolaos continued his pacing, waiting patiently. When it seemed that even the normally calm and collected Varangian was about to lose patience, the page returned and nodded. "It is time."

Nikolaos was ushered into the Basileus's office, the doors closing quickly and quietly behind him. Sitting in a most regal chair with Captain Harald standing off to his right, Basileus Aleksios looked over tented fingers at Nikolaos, "Please sit."

Nikolaos obeyed without question, hesitation foreign to him, training drilled into him, and loyalty demanding it of him. He sat quietly, as seconds began to tick by, counted by an exotic water clock on the Basileus's desk. Seconds seemed to stretch into minutes, and Nikolaos was beginning to wonder if the Basileus was going to speak at all.

As the tension reached a climax, Aleksios spoke with an even controlled tone. "You are Nikolaos Bjorn Aristenos?"

Nikolaos quickly responded in crisp military precision. "Yes, your Majesty."

"You have served for the last four years as a Varangian Guard, alternatively serving at the Magnaura, Hippodrome, as personal bodyguard to my sons, my daughter and her husband, and assisting in the arrest and execution of Organization members. Your work has not gone unnoticed." Aleksios reached across his desk for some papers and laid them in front of him, before returning his hands to their normal, tented place in front of him.

Nikolaos would have swelled with pride had not respect and discipline been drilled into him. "Indeed, I have done what you said, but I have done nothing more then any member of the Varangain Guard should have", was the clean-cut answer Nikoalos gave instead. His eyes were drawn to the paper between him and the Emperor.

Aleksios noted Nikolaos's gaze before continuing. "Do not be modest Nikolaos, it is unbecoming for a man of your talent. I wish I could have a man as loyal, obedient and...level-headed as you, but alas, your kind seem in short supply. I hope to rectify that, by rewarding you with a promotion to Strator and Senator of the Roman Empire."

Nikolaos training failed him for the briefest of moments as shock played over him, Captain of the Guard one day, but this! This was beyond Nikolaos's wildest dreams.
"Your Majesty, I thank you! From the depths of my heart I thank you I tha-".

Aleksios motioned for him to be still, and Nikolaos quickly returned to his normal disciplined self. "Do not be so hasty in your thanks. As a Senator, you will not be allowed to be a member of the Varangian Guard. I will not have the most loyal and trusted men under my command tainted by politics, I know my history too well. If you agree to this, then you will resign from the Varangian Guard effective immediately."

Nikolaos was to overjoyed to argue. "Anything your Majesty!"

Aleksios pushed the papers in front of him forward. "These are documents legitimizing your claims as Strator and Senator of the Roman Empire. I will have you sign them, and then you may be on your way. I will keep a copy for myself."

Nikolaos quickly signed all the papers with a speed that would do a court scribe shame. After signing them, Nikolaos held out his hand in expectation.

Aleksios let Nikolaos hand hang in the air as he reviewed the documents, insuring their legality. He then set them aside, and looking back from Nikolaos to his hand, reached out after a few seconds and shook it, his hand engulfed in Nikolaos's.

Nikolaos smiled as he vigorously shook the Basileus's hand. A smile broke out across his face, and after a crisp salute, let go of Aleksios's hand and marched out. As the doors shut behind him, one could hear him whoop for joy.

After the newly promoted man had left, Aleksios turned to Harald, "Make sure he is watched, I want to ensure that he does indeed sever his old ties. The last few years have convinced me that even some of the Varangians are suspect."

Harald look troubled, but nodded, "It will be done, your Majesty."

------------------------------------------------------

Nikolaos shook himself from his reverie, and making his way past his old friends, entered the
Magnaura.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Done with permission, editing, and help from OK

[Privateerkev]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This story takes place a couple months after this story.

Nicosia 1134:

The past few weeks had been a blur. After leaving Anna's temporary quarters, Makedonios handed little Constantine over to Maria, the wife of his shield-bearer, Nick. The small group had made their way back to the storm sewer. Surrounded by his most trusted men, the Megas led them through the catacombs to a port. A non-descript craft waited for them and they were off. Being Megas had it's perks. One of them was that it was quite easy to issue naval orders that looked very innocent and procedural. Being Megas also gave Mak knowledge of naval patrols. After a few switchovers, they were finally on a private craft owned by Nick's family. Anyone who later looked at naval orders would only find a routine personnel transfer from Constantinople to somewhere in Greece.

Sailing the private craft themselves, and able to avoid naval patrols, the small group arrived in Nicosia just in time for the new year. Finally on safe ground, the group relaxed a little. Cyprus was Mak's island and Nicosia was his private castle. No one found it odd that him and his men were in town for the new year's festivities. It also allowed him full control over security. If they had been followed, he would know about it.

After the festivities, Makedonios left his guards and retinue behind. Carrying little Constantine himself, he rode off across the island. The island was his home and he knew every road, trail, militia patrol, and local bandit. He knew exactly what route to take to make sure he wasn't noticed or followed. Finally arriving at the Kykkos Monastery in the dead of night, Mak knocked on the door of the one in charge, Esaias.

Esaias quickly opened the door and ushered the father and son inside. "I'm glad to see you made it Makedonios." The two men were old friends and used the other's first name while in private.

Makedonios took a seat and accepted some tea. Constantine was still sleeping in a harness around Mak's torso. "I see Ioannis visited you. I can't thank you enough for doing this."

Esaias sipped his own cup of tea while taking a seat. "It is not a problem. While the Emperor might have signed off on the funds for this place back in 1081, I know it was you who lobbied so hard for it. No one but me knows who the boys father is. I'll simply present him to the monastary as a 'left on doorstep in the dead of night' orphan. Lord knows we have plenty of those. No one will think twice about it."

Makedonios's tone turned stern. "I won't get into particulars, or into who the mother is, but I'll just say I have my share of political opponents. Some might dig into things. If anyone were to look into things here, I expect to be notified."

The older man nodded. "Of course. But I wouldn't worry. Strangers stand out around these parts. But I won't take any chances. I'll treat him as I would any orphan. He'll grow up here and learn the ways of the Order. He'll be a young boy and he'll grow up into a man. I take it that at that point, you'll have plans for him?"

Another sip of tea. "That will depend on my talk with him. I'll drop by from time to time but I will have no contact with him until he hits adulthood. It's for his own safety. When he becomes a man, I will speak with him. What he does at that point will be up to him."

Esaias nods. "Alright, now that is settled, you should probably get going while he is still sleeping. I will go and 'find' him at the monastary's front door. Go with God Makedonios."

The Megas nods. "And God go with you as well Esaias." The father slowly took off the harness with his son, gently kissed the boy on the head, and handed him to the Head Monk.