Stories Thread

[Cecil XIX]

Nicosia 1171:

Makedonios’s death had been sudden, unexpected. Or at least, that’s what Armatos thought when he arrived to take account of the estate that had been left to him. This idea was reinforced by the fact that Makedonios, a private man, had not put his things in an order which made them easily accessible to others. Clearly he wasn’t expecting to go when he did.

It had taken him the better part of a week, but Armatos had been able to square away what he could and get things started on tying up Makedonios’s loose ends. But there was one more thing he needed to do, a request that Makedonios had left for him specifically.

Armatos couldn’t make heads or tales of it, but he had been instructed to deliver a letter to a man named Esaias, the head monk at Kykkos Monastery.

And so, Armatos set off. As he rode, he idly wondered if this was something important.

[Cecil XIX]

Cyprus 1171:

Kousinos Sophianos, a monk at the Kykkos Monastery, was just returning from an errand to a nearby town when the most tremendous thunderstorm suddenly broke out.

Desperately seeking shelter, he was fortunate enough to discover a cave within running distance. No sooner had he reached the shelter then he was stunned to find three hideously ugly, old women seemingly waiting for him.

“All hail, Constantine Ksanthopoulos! Hail to thee, monk of Kykkos!” exclaimed the first.

“All hail, Constantine Ksanthopoulos! Hail to thee, Duke of Tortosa!” echoed the second.

“All hail, Constantine Ksanthopoulos, though shalt be Basileus hereafter!” finished the third.

While trying to suppress his instinct to recoil in horror, Kousinos stammered “S-Still thy tongues, foul witches. I am not the man whom you seek, nor is there anyone at the Kykkos Monastery with that name!”

But the witches just smiled and continued onward

“The first, through the efforts of your father.”

“The second, from your benefactor.”

“The third, from yourself.”

“All gained from treachery!” finished the three in unison.

“W-What!?” said Kousinos. “Are you saying my father is responsible for my being abandoned here?”

The three witches then vanished into the air, their corporal forms vanishing as breath into the wind.

Stunned to silence, it takes Kousinos a while to realize the storm has stopped. With trepidation he continued onward back the monastery, only to be met by another brother who had been sent to meet him.

"Brother Kousinos, there's an important letter waiting for you back on the monastery!"

[KnightnDay]

On the road west of Constantinople, 1182

The two rode side by side, taking in the beauty of the day at the head of their troop column.

Trial by ordeal, my lord? The other senators I should think might react and claim you mad for suggesting such a thing! These the words of Aleksios Bartosis, commander of the bodyguard for Ammonathas Kalameteros.

Replied Ammonathas I was interested in how only one man would react. This fellow Erotikos is a clever one. I felt sure he would submit to no such thing, nor would he have travelled such a distance to allow himself to be so easily proven a murderer. Truthfully Aleksios, I have no idea if he is innocent or guilty. But one thing's for certain, the man knows something. Lord Vartholomaios is not trusting of the man, and I think rightfully so. And how this other one he mentioned, Kousinos Sophianos fits into all of this, only God knows. In any event, with all of this now past comes the opportunity to move once more against the Venetians. I only hope that Magnentios.... Column halt!

His right arm thrust skyward, the troops readily stopped in their place. From the distance could plainly be seen a lone rider at full gallop. Within a few short moments, the man pulled up the reins, jumped from the steed and after a few steps, knelt at the side of Ammonathas.

My lord, I had hoped to greet you at the city gates of Thessalonike in celebration, but was forced by a dreadful turn of events to instead bring you news of tragedy. Your brother Magnentios is dead. Slain by the Venetians with whom he gave battle. He fought nobly, my lord, please know this.

But Ammonathas no longer heard the words of the messenger. His head bowed, deep in thought, fighting off the tears. He then looked towards the sky.

I fear, Aleksios.. I fear that the light of the House of Asteri is all but burned out. My father gravely ill, now Magnentios dead, no word from Sophronios, Zigavinos or Andreas. And Aleksios ek Ikoniou's thoughts must surely be far from this house while he manages an empire with a Basileus that drifts with the ocean currents. And now I must share this terrible news with the men who once served Magnentios so loyally.

Captain Bartosis wasted no words. These men, sir, are the army of Lord Ammonathas Kalameteros, and will fight to the death if necessary, at your side. As will I.

With those spoken words, Ammonathas became energized at an instant. Messenger, you have travelled a great distance and accomplished your task. Now I send you on another...

My Lord, excuse me, but there was another message, this from the Magnaura concerning a princess bride...

Ammonathas abruptly stops him- No more, do I wish to hear from you of any matter other than the one I now command that you be concerned with! I have a message to be delivered personally to the Megas Logothetes, if he will see fit to receive you. Among his great responsibilities, he commands Fortress Corinth. And by our law he can raise troops there as he sees fit. You shall tell him that Senator Kalameteros beseeches him to provide three hundred or so professional soldiers to be joined from Corinth with this army. We shall then march against the Venetians with any and all lords of our empire that will stand with House Asteri. Are you clear as to what I ask of you?

I understand sir, I ride on at once. the young lad replied

Very good, I thank you for your service to your empire. Aleksios, call the men together so that I may tell them of a proud and brave man, my brother, now fallen. We then resume our march at once towards the Venetians.

[Cecil XIX]

Ioannis Erotikas, raised just a year before to the office of Senator due to the abrupt death of his elder brother in a hunting accident, rode south out of Aleppo with his hollow eyed cadre of guardsmen in tow. The men had been up all night torturing some Turkish camp followers for the precise location of the enemy's nearby army. As often happened with non-soldiers the direct application of pain had proved far less effective than making the three men watch while the women were worked over. By the wee hours of the morning a few of them might even have still been alive, technically, when the Greeks hastily departed their camp.

Ioannis Erotikas himself rode with his head held high, the dry wind whipping through his his hair and a sublime expression on his face. His birthright as a Senator had proven quite disappointing; it seemed the Senate was little more than a lazily played game with the Magnaura as a backdrop and the priveleges of a Senator were not so very different from the priveleges of any nobleman. With life at the center of the Empire having been pressed to the very limits of taste already Io had at last determined that he would now try life at the edges of Empire to see if it had any more flavor.

Only there was something he needed first. Something without which his own, crucial, personal existence might be at risk out here.

An army. And word had it one of those could be found at Damascus, under the command of the former Grandmaster of the Order of St. John. The law demanded that he interview with the general before he could even join this force, bound for who knows where, but Ioannis Erotikas had found himself to be fate's happy fool often enough in life to smell an opportunity in the breeze.

So it was that Io and his exhausted men found themselves camped within sight of the walls of Damascus. With greedy eyes alight Io commanded his orderlies to set up his tent, summoned a fresh mount, and rode on into the city himself to seek an audience with the retired Grandmaster.

That same former Grandmaster was inspecting his army outside the city opposite of Ioannis's approach when a messenger ran up to him; stopping and saluting before he continued.

"My Lord, Senator Ioannis Erotikas requests an audience."

Armatos furrowed his brow.

"Who?"

The guard coughed nervously, then produced Ioannis's credentials. Armatos looked them over.

"Well, these *do* seem to be in order. Very well, inform him that we shall meet in the city's center square."

Having dispatched the messenger Armatos summoned a horse of his own, and began trotting towards the meeting site.

Io, arriving at the square first, surveyed Damascus dispassionately. The town was quiet this morning, just a few peasants moving about in the slowly warming air. To the east one could see all the way down the cobbled street to the gates that opened onto the road into Turkish lands, and Io turned his horse to face that way as he waited. As soon as he noticed the approach of Armatos Io arranged his face in a slightly deferential smile and slumped a bit in his saddle to let some of the weariness he had previously restrained show through in his demeanor, resolving to let the senior man speak first.

As Armatos closed the distance, he decided to speak as soon as he thought Ioannis could hear him.

"Senator Erotikas, welcome to Damascus! To what do I owe this pleasent surprise?"

Deference practically drips from Io's words as he raises his head to respond, "Grandmaster I am on a tour of the outer ranges of the Empire, but it seems I have chosen a poor occassion for it! The Turks and their rebel lackeys are everywhere. I do not consider myself a fearful man, but my guardsmen plead with me not to ride through the countryside alone any longer. So I must beg permission to join my guards to your cause when you depart the city...

Armatos nods. "Of course, you and your men are welcome to join us. Why, we were just about to set off to deal with the Turkish army to the east. Where are your men encamped?

A wide smile spreads across Io's face, and he bows his head a bit before answering, "We're just northeast of the city! The men will be ready to depart anytime, I assure you. In fact with your leave I will ride ahead, I believe I have an appropriate gift for you to celebrate your graciousness."

Armatos raised an eyebrow.

"A gift, eh? Very well. We leave first thing in the morning. Bring your men into the city; I will arrange for more suitable accomodations."

"Oh no m'lord, not necessary at all! Besides, to ask the men to strike the tents when I've just had them setting up will raise discontent. Best if I am your simple host at my tent before we ride tomorrow. I shall have your gift awaiting your arrival!"

Io then bows deeply across the back of his horse and without further ceremony rides away.

Armatos sighs, and rides over to the nearest aide.

"Tell Sigismund I have need of him."

***

A short time later, Armatos and Sigismund had arrived at Ioannis's campsite.

An orderly takes the men in hand and guides them to the site of Io's tent, where his guardsmen and servants are abuzz with action. Seeing the former Grandmaster approach every man among them bows briefly as he passes, but swiftly returns to action striking the camp afterward. The orderly silently pull aside the flap on the largest tent, towards the back of the camp, and indicates that the two men should enter.

Inside Io can be seen examining a large, hand drawn, map of the region. He glances over his shoulder to see who has entered, and then turns fully to greet Armatos with a bow,

"Ahh, well met again m'Lord! Your gift has been sent for, and my men are tearing down the camp so that we may march as quickly as possible. I trust the soldiers are assembled and waiting for us beyond the city..."

Io reads Aramtos' answer in his eyes and hastily continues with his speech, giving no room for a reply,

"Excellent, excellent! Such a body of soldiers as the center of the Empire hardly knows in these corrupt old days, but no matter, here is your gift!"

With a flourish Io throws the tent flap wide for two of his guardsmen to bring a trembling young girl into the tent. She wears no make-up, but her dress clearly distinguishes just what sort of gift she is meant to be; a whore. Her skin and features are exquisite except for two dark binding marks on her wrist, and also of indeterminate origin. She could well even be Greek.

She is perhaps twelve years old and her eyes are darkly blank, but wet.

"I've kept this slave apart from the lads just for you Armatos, and I've had my personal bodyservant putting food in her so she'll gain weight. I trust she is satisfactory? We took her just days ago from a stubborn family outside Aleppo..."

The scowl on Armatos' face is terrifying, perhaps largely because he has hardly ever so much as frowned in his life.

"Erotikos, you fiend! Of all the despicable-! Sigismund, help me with this poor girl!"

A remarkable series of expressions, rage, confusion, frustration, perhaps even a tinge of self pity, parade across Io's face as he realizes his mistake and the potential seriousness of his predicament. At last he hangs his head in shame and pulls his hands in against his stomach in a gesture of seeming contrition. Words babble out of him at a rapid pace, blurring together as he approaches Armatos where he tends to the girl,

"God forgive me! Armatos, please, forgive me! I had no idea... come, I will free her to your custody immediately... and have the men who took her flayed... and... we will depart...

Please, first, please brother... senator... Greek! Embrace me and absolve me of your anger so that I can go on my way through your lands alone in peace!"

With his head hanging low in apparent contrition Io moves to stand directly in front of Armatos, hands still moving convulsively, aimlessly over the front of his shirt.

"Yes, yes, spare me your apologies!" Having finished checking the girl to injuries, Armatos hoists her into his arms, stands up and turns to face Io.

"Be thankful that you are a Senator, for I would give no one else a second chance! I'm leaving to take this girl to safety, and if you truly want to travel in peace then you and your men had better pack up and leave before I return with my army!"

Armatos and Sigismund glare at Ioannis as they turn to leave the tent.

A look of utter panic descends over Io's face for an instant before it resolves into action. His hands cease their aimless movement as he glides silently up behind the departing form of Armatos, the right withdrawing a vicious looking dagger from beneath his shirt. Giving no time for a reaction Io takes advantage of the fact that Armatos is holding the girl to place his left hand on one side of the former Grandmaster's neck while the dagger in the right hand plunges brutally into his throat.

Holding Armatos under his chin Io then makes a sawing motion with the knife, tearing his neck entirely open before letting him collapse to the ground on top of the young girl.

The entire operation is nearly soundless, and before the abruptly blood soaked girl can even scream Io roars out,

"Guards!"

The sounds of armed men rushing to the tent are apparent as Io offers Sigismund a nasty grin while swiping his blade through the air to fling the blood from it...

For a moment, a mixture of pain and anger crosses Sigismund's face as he stares at the temptingly close Erotikas. But that quickly passes, and he lets out a mighty shout.

"Velezrada!"

He then quickly speeds out of the tent before Ioannis's men can respond and mounts his horse.

"Uspíšit, Edmund!"

Io's guardsmen rush into the tent as Sigismund flees, making certain their lord is safe before any thought of pursuit. These men know their leader well, so when the girl starts to scream and struggle her way out from under the corpse of Armatos one leans down to cuff her brutally into silence, which allows Ioannis to speak in a calm, quiet tone,

"Mark, Bart, you're with me. Have my horse saddled immediately. We must secure the soldiers Armatos brought onto the road with a tale of vile Muslim treachery. I'll have them on the march towards their imagined enemies within the hour, leaving no time for thought! Have the orderlies clean the body up so we can display it as necessary to get their blood up. If Damascus has sufficient supply we'll pack it in salt and carry it along. No pursuit of the one who fled. He's a westerner, he can't go back to the army with a tale that contradicts a Greek noble's own word."

As he marches out of the tent Io catches the sound of a whimper from the girl, still covered in blood and crouching on the ground. He pauses just long enough to say,

"Oh, and have her cleaned up and strapped across a pack mule for the march. I'll see to her when we make camp again tonight."

Setting off for his horse at his usual rapid pace Io can be heard to mutter, beneath his breath, "Praise God! I knew I smelled opportunity out here!"

[KnightnDay]

Dearest mother,

I hope this day finds you well, as clearly some of the most recent seem to have been the darkest. The death of brother Magnentios has been a difficult burden to bear, but for the sake of my soldiers, I do all that I can to show no ill effects. In any other time, I would return for the funeral but of course you know that under present circumstances I cannot.

The news that father seems no closer to the end of his illness is troubling as well. I have heard that there are physicians who say he will never recover. Surely you know that in my evening prayers, I ask our God to restore him to good health. If he is well enough to receive any news, please assure him that I am doing all that I know to insure our house retains a meaningful place in Byzantium.

In your previous correspondence, you had asked me what my impression was of the Magnaura. I will tell you that there are no lack of good and honorable men there, yet as you would expect, some have their own interests at heart. In fact I dare say there may be those whose motives have little to do with the well being of our empire. One in particular is a Senator Erotikos from the holy lands. It has been suggested he murdered another senator, but no tangible proof exists that this be so. Yet his words seem so evasive, his actions equally suspect. He carries about as if he knows that he will not be touched in any meaningful way. But he now possesses a large army of his own, and given the senate’s reluctance to shed blood among members, perhaps this individual has good reason to feel safe. When I departed the Magnaura, I felt him not more than a questionable and unsavory character. Yet now with the reports I hear of his continuing behavior in the senate chambers, with every passing day I become concerned of a darker and more sinister purpose behind all this.

I must say that I was so pleased to have actually seen Methodios the Conqueror in the senate chamber. Although he has aged so, I can’t help but remember back to earlier days when his stories of triumph over our enemies were so exciting to me. And I remember not long ago being so greatly relieved when father felt compelled to declare war on him but at the same time said that he would do nothing to cause harm to one that I looked to as an inspiration in happier times.

I must end this letter now, as preparations must be made for the arrival of antypatos Vasilakios. I have made camp on the road between Constantinople and Thessalonike in order so that our two groups may come together as one and strengthen our position. We have still so far to travel before it is time to test my courage in battle. Until that time you surely know I will stay safe.

All my love,

Ammonathas

[TheFlax]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Coop written with YLC

Apulia, 1182

A trio of mounted men made their way across the sparse field. Leading them was Markos ek Sinopis in full battle regalia. He wore an expensive lorikia under the customary klibanion made him more imposing and gave him added protection he thought would surely be needed in the pitched battle ahead; if it did came to battle. A thick kite shield was strapped to his left arm, while his spathion was sheathed in a baldric and hung at his left hip. Under his thick iron helmet, his normally gentle features expressed a certain discomfort, partly at the situation but mostly at all the armor he was wearing, even after the recent years of campaigning he was still ill at ease when in arms.

At his side rode a Frankish knight, leader of the mercenaries recently recruited, and one of his own bodyguards. Both heavily armored men glanced around nervously, for while the Sicilians were on friendly terms with the Empire, they would not take kindly to the two armies fighting on their land. The last thing any of them wanted was a Sicilian army joining the fray. When all three men had reached the center of the field, Markos’ bodyguard lifted a banner of the Byzantine Empire as a signal to their counterparts.

Helarionas noted the banner being raised up, and with a select few of his most trusted men and Chara came out of hiding from a flanking position, their bows at the ready. Helarionas smiled briefly at Markos, sheathing the bidenhander he wielded in his left hand, and extending his right hand in friendship.

"You wish to speak Markos? I know you hunt me, but your message indicated you wished to speak upon terms first. I will hear them, but be warned, I may not agree to them. And sorry for misleading you-" Helarionas points to the three mounted men in the distance, in the front of Helarionas's army. "-but a man in my position cannot leave much to chance."

"Perhaps, but I am a man of my word, you will not be harmed." Markos studied Helarionas for an instant and bowed low in his saddle to grip his hand. "Before I speak of terms, let me first say that I hold no personal animosity toward you. Unlike some I do not consider you a traitor, but you do have to be brought to justice for defying our laws. My terms are the following: You surrender the Princess to me, your men are to return to your holding and you are to accompany me to Magnaura to face the justice of your peers. If you do so without deceit, I will plead for leniency and defend you if necessary. You can still end this without bloodshed, if we do battle there will be no turning back."

Chara snickered off to Helarionas's right, but he ignored her. Looking back up at Markos, Helarionas returned the mans gaze with steely determination. "On what charges am I to be tried?"

Markos scowled slightly at the woman, yet replied in even tones. "Well for one, denying the will of the Basileus and the Ceasar in your union with the princess. That is assuming you did not kidnap her, I will give you the benefit of the doubt on that matter since you seem reasonable enough."

Helarionas's eyes narrowed. "Indeed, but if I were to go back now, I would be denied marriage either way. If I must live in exile with Aleksandra, then that is what will happen. I will hand over my senatorial papers, hand over my army, hand over my land and writes to my personal fortune - I will not let go of Aleksandra, ever. I do not care for the power or prestige marrying one of Tagaris' daughter would give me, unlike so many others, I curry favor for her hand and her love, nothing more, and willingly give of myself for her, not of any personal gain."

Helarionas began pacing. "If you wish, you may come to my camp, along with any number of men you desire, to see Aleksandra Tagaris with your own eyes. If you wish, I will surrender my forces to you - but under no circumstances will I surrender Aleksandra, and by proxy, myself, to your command."

"Even if I accept your offer, where will you go? The Basileus and an army greater than mine will be arriving in short time and unless you accept my terms I cannot prevent him from pursuing you. Furthermore, I would be neglecting my duty by doing so." Markos sighted. "We have reached an impasse that I fear neither off will be able to cross."

Helarionas faced Markos with a look of grim determination. "Then I will face my fate and die. Better that I be dead, and Aleksandra allowed to mourn and move on, then for me to live and us to be so far away yet forever close - which will hurt her more, dear Markos?"

"That is not for me to say." Markos paused, shaking his head in resignation. "I salute your bravery Helarionas, there are few causes worthier than love I suppose. Nevertheless I am deeply saddened at the loss of life which will take place for something so intangible." After saluting his counterpart in a military fashion, Markos continues. "May God decide the better man when we next meet on the field of battle."

Helarionas bowed deeply. "I prefer to place my fate in my own hands Markos, and I hope you may do the same. I regret as much as you that men will die today over love, but would you have them die over greed instead? Tis least a more noble cause. I salute you, Lord ek Sinopis, and bid you best tidings upon the field of battle." Helarionas bows one last time before giving a quick, soundless signal to his men for them to follow him.

As Helarionas walked back towards his army, he did so with his back straight, a smile on his face, and a feeling of acceptance in his heart. Aleksandra will kill me when I get back to camp...I will never hear the end of it...