The Hippodrome

[Ramses II CP]

On the wide stone steps leading up to the Hippodrome a man begins to speak. His voice is not the loudest in the area, for an event has just been completed within and there are many conversations ongoing as people exit. He has no retinue present to draw attention, and it is apparent that his speech was not prepared ahead of time. Even with all of that a group gathers around him to hear his words, and not long into his speech men are shushing one another at the edges of the crowd to listen.

Brothers, sisters, Romans!

A dark cloud forebodes along the horizon! Black acts and dark deeds hidden in the night threaten the very fabric of Rome! Brothers please, turn to me with your ears and your mind, for I must warn you of a terrible peril. I alone can carry news of the coming disaster, of the plague which will be spread by the pox laden hands of...

A suitably dramatic pause draws much attention to the speaker.

...The Society of Secret Muslims and their Brotherhood of Friends!

Oh it is a terrible day for the Empire! Mourn for the coming cataclysm! Weep for the lives that will fall under the reaper's scythe!

It is true, quite true, that there have been victories. Alexandria was taken for the Empire, yes, and Cairo may already have fallen as well. The Crusaders have carried the word of God and the swords of truth against the infidel, and done well!

It is also true, quite true, that the Grandmaster of the Order and his noble knights have once against crushed a jihad army by killing it's leader. Yes, indeed, for the third time the ill equipped armies of the pious Order have been favored by God to destroy a jihad!

Alas, it is also true, quite true, that a jihad army is even now in range to threaten Constantinople! That same army which has, from the start, been sponsored by a man high in the Council of Secret Muslims. The very same man who watched that army march past him and raised no hand to oppose it.

Caesar Ioannis Komnenos!

That snake, creeping through the confidences of the Emperor, who misled our noble leader into exiling the Patriarch of our great city. That beast who ever plots harm for good Orthodox citizens and unceasingly strips soldiers from the front for his own power mad games. That vile, iniquitious dog licking at the heels of his true Saracen masters!

The poor Emperor, blind with trust for his undeservedly beloved son, cannot see that his boy coordinates this assault for his own convenience. Cannot see that the only possible way the jihad army could know exactly how far to march to prevent the Emperor from being able to ride out and oppose them was to have had the Caesar himself tell them the range! He cannot even see that the Caesar plots insurrection and bloody vengeance!

God preserve the Emperor, who, despite his failing health and greatly advanced age, shows at least the courage to seek battle with the enemy! Alas, he does not see that his son sent these infidel dogs to slaughter his own father, cannot see that the Caesar even now plans to join forces with them when they lay siege to Constantinople itself! Pity the Emperor who so loves his misbegotten child that he must look past that boy's desperate struggles to destroy all he worked for, all he accomplished!

My good fellows, my great friends, I speak here today at great risk to my own life only to say that you must be wary. Watch most carefully for the days to come, and do not let your faith flag no matter what ill acts the Secret Muslims may perform! A hero has arisen, I say, a hero who can set things right and strike down the snakes.

Look to the east, Romans, for your salvation. Out of the sun over the sea shall he come! Watch for his coming, praise his name, for at his side God and Patriarch ride to preserve the Empire and cast down the infidel!

So says,

Isaeus the Truthspeaker

By the end of his speech there are hundreds listening, and word of mouth carries his tale to many ears in many cities of the Empire. Always there are those who disparage his words and mock him, and always there are those who believe him entirely, but few indeed are those who shrug off the story without comment.

[TinCow]

People of Byzantium! Prepare yourselves for the greatest race ever to grace the most magnificent arena in the entire known world!

This is not just a race, it is a trial! A determination of honor and right, as decided upon by the wisest man to ever rule the Roman people. All hail Basileus Aleksios Komnenos!

The most just and righteous Emperor has decreed that the feud between Methodios Tagaris and Nikiphoros Manouelitis will be settled in the Old Style. One race, with both Senators selection teams to champion their positions. The winner will gain not only the honor of a victory in the Hippodrome, but complete, undisputed ownership over the entire city of Scopia! Truly an amazing award for whoever is victorious.

The Basileus has himself decreed that the chariot teams be divided up into pairs by Methodios Tagaris, with Nikiphoros Manouelitis selecting which of the teams he wishes to take first. These Senators are advised to note that while it is possible to place your faith in a mixed pair, the notorious and centuries-old rivalry between the Blue Faction and the Green Faction will not die easily. Mixed teams may result in intense competition between supposedly 'friendly' charioteers!

The Blue Faction will once again have its dominant Blue team lead by Constans Kaspax. His last performance was not very good, but he remains the most experienced driver amongst the Blues. Rumors have it that his recent loss has caused him to redouble his training, and he is now pursuing a new tactic of going easy on his horses in the opening laps. Such a bold move may pay off, as his strong starting skills could well compensate for the less vigorous driving in the early laps, and towards the end of the race his horses will surely have more energy than his opponents.

The Red Team has long been the minor Blue Faction team, but under Longinius Nicerite it has once again gained fame and repute in its own right. His incredible performance in the last race, and his ability to shake off his reputation as a poorly trained dwarf have some men whispering that he has the luck of the Old Gods on his side. While such rumors are blatantly heretical, there is no doubt that Short Longinius is not a man to be counted out in any race!

There has been a great shake-up in the Green Faction. After his stunning victory in his first race in the Hippodrome, Magnentius Ferro has been given control of the primary Green Team chariot! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Senator Michail Arianitis's protégé is now the master of the Greens! His intelligence and skill is now well-known, but was his victory just a fluke? Can the newest charioteer replicate his performance, or will he go down in flames as a one-win-wonder? We will find out soon enough!

The Green Faction's White Team is now in complete disarray! It is now on it's third charioteer in three races. Falkon Xerus, the former primary charioteer for the Greens has been demoted and the disgrace is surely complete for this most famous of men. Some say that he is a broken man and has reached the end of his career, and that his depression has even hurt his skills, making him weak off of the start. Still, the mighty chariot Bellisarus is his and his alone, and perhaps this once great charioteer can regain some of his now long-lost glories. Anything can happen here in the Hippodrome!

So, ladies and gentlemen, citizens and Senators, do not miss the most exciting race to have ever graced this mighty arena! We wait now for the Senators to make their choices. First, Methodios Tagaris must divide the charioteers up into two teams, then Nikiphoros Manouelitis must select which of these teams he wishes to be his champions. When this is completed, the most magnificent and glorious Basileus, Aleksios Komnenos, will himself address the crowd and signal for the start of the race! Do not miss it, or you will bring shame and disgrace on your family for all eternity!

[_Tristan_]

Methodios enters the Hippodrome. He can be seen in hushed conversation with one of the Hippodrome officials, though nobody can get near enough to hear anything said between the two men. Some minutes later, Varangians stand apart to admit Methodios to the Kathisma.

Bowing to the Basileos, Methodios walks forward to stand at the edge of the box. Resting his hands on the railing, he loudly makes an announcement.

"People of the Empire, you are here to witness the trial of a dispute between Senator Manouelitis and myself over the ownership of Scopia.

By the rules set by our most revered Emperor, I am the one to choose how teams are to be composed.

I am known to be an iconoclast, someone who breaks rules, who stands apart from the pack...

People of Rome, I will not fail you...

I have chosen to split the ancestral factions...

The prominent teams of Blues and Greens will be associated, with the "secondary" teams of Reds and Whites running together.

I hope this will offer us the great event you all have been expected.

May the best man win."

With a bow to the Basileos, Methodios leaves the Kathisma and is seen mingling among the crowds.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Theo walks in to the Hippodrome and looks around to find a seat for himself. It's been a long time since there was a race and people are coming from all over the Empire to be witness this event. And Theo is no different. Finally he manages to get through crowed and heads towards private seats. Seeing one open he takes a seat and opens his bottle of wine.

This will be interesting. No matter who wins. If not then I'll propose an Edict that says "All Senators must wear toga and have to race every year". Cheers!

Laughing over his Edict to come Theo takes a sip from his bottle.

[Warmaster Horus]

Nikiphoros, who had gone to the Hippodrome immediately after hearing the Basileus proclaim the race, had been immersed in scrolls and parchment, all of which were in relation to the performances and odds of the four teams. He'd gone down to see the horses, meet the trainers, meet the racers. He'd spoken to professionals, to people who brought home food thanks to their betting. Finally, a few sycophants dedicated to one team had shouted loudly in his ear to support the good one. He'd had a headache for some time, too.
Eventually, he realised there was no way for him to adequately judge the teams. He'd spoken to the pros, but everyone had a different opinion. The trainers and racers were obviously biased, and the bookmakers too. Tiring of this, Nikiphoros went to the Kathisma. The Guard moved to let him enter, and he made his announcement:

"People of Constantinople...

When I heard Senator Tagaris had chosen to sack Alexandria, to break the laws, to kill thousands of people, I was outraged. When I realized the rest of the Senate was not going to act, I was incensed. This is why I connived to bring Tagaris to justice. My conduct has brought us here, and my conduct was fuelled by one thing: the desire to avenge the poor people of Alexandria, those who'd once been part of our Empire, those who'd been mistreated by the Egyptians, those who'd adhered to the Muslim faith by obligation.

People of the Empire...

By standing up for the people of Alexandria, I stood up for those no one else would. I stood up for the underdog, so to speak. This is why I will choose to take the Reds and Whites. One is rumored to be lead by a pagan, the other team has not been successful of late...
But I will let them stand up for justice!

I could have taken the easy way out, I could have given Tagaris what he wanted. But I did not!
Here too, I could take the easy way out. I could have chosen the more popular charioteers. But I will not!
I place my faith and that of the people of Alexandria in the Reds and the Whites.

May the best teams win..."

Finally leaving the Kathisma, Nikiphoros goes to a Hippodrome official, and says:
"Sir, it is done. I will support the Reds and the Whites, and Tagaris will have the Blues and the Greens."

[Smowz]

Nevoulas ek Philadelphias is unaccustomed to such events - however he simply could not afford to miss out on such a spectacle. His opinion of both men was very much in the balance, on one side was the legendary scoundrel himself Methodios and on the other side was the sneaky proud Nikiphoras.

Both men had stood up for what they believed and the unorthodox way of sorting this out had caught the imagination of the empire. Indeed Nevoulas was now gathered with well respected peoples from both his province in the Balkans and indeed from newly inherited Markinople. Where better to start to discuss matters of state then at this grand affair.

Nevoulas looks down on the track and notices the two combatants talking to their respected choices for the race. There are many people dashing about, Nevoulas peers closer to look around at the scene he sees representatives from all over the empire, pale skins, dark skins and even the odd Turkish descendent.

Nevoulas looks over at one dressed in Seljuk design- he was sure he recoginized the all to familiar features. He rises and is about to rush down and confront his long lost relative when Trumpets blaze around and a roar echoes around the arena.

Nevoulas loses sight of the man and feels one of his guests tug at his robe.

'Nevoulas why the long face come enjoy some of the Belgradian wine'

Nevoulas grimaces ... horse pee would taste better he thinks, still he had to be polite and gulps some down, forgetting his moment.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios enters the Kathisma. He acknowledges the crowd and then raises his hands for quiet.

The teams have been decided and Scopia hangs in the balance.

The Basileus raises a piece of white silk.

May God grant victory to the worthy party in this dispute.

He drops the silk, it flutters away in the breeze, signalling the start of the race.