Stories Thread

[OverKnight]

<Coop with AussieGiant>

Thrace, 1110

A hard rain was falling as Basileus Aleksios, Apionnas Vringas and their men left the capital to rejoin the army south of Bucharest. Aleksios was hunched in his saddle, coughing, with the younger man riding beside him. The raw weather was making his bones ache, and he felt tired and old. The gray, forboding sky matched his mood.

"Apionnas," the Basileus said in a raspy voice, "I am grateful for the assistance you provided during the Senate Session. Without your help, my son would not have been elected Megas."

Apionnas face turned from concern to surprise as he observed his master and the words he spoke.

"My Lord, you do not have to thank me. My service and loyalty is something you must always count on. It was a close race, but I believe your son will do a good job. That is why I voted for him."

Aleksios replied, "Still, I am unsettled. The Patriarch exceeds his station and may have to be dealt with. The Crusade worries me as well. I have no doubt the fervor of our men, but it divides the Empire even more. We're taking on too much perhaps. I can see fault lines forming, cracks in the Empire that may worsen after I'm gone."

The Basileus bowed his head, coughing, as the wind picked up, pelting him with rain.

"Ioannis is now in power. This means the Patriarch and his pet zealots can be contained, prevented them from dominating the affairs of the Empire. A dynamic balance of factions and forces must be maintained to drive the Empire forward, to reforge its greatness and to keep the Komnenoi on the Throne. Anything or anyone that threatens this balance must be neutralized."

Aleksios sighed heavily, "I'm worried that my son is not ready to keep that balance. That once he is Basileus. . .once I am dead, that the fault lines may grow and consume the Empire. I am worried that all I have worked for, all that we have accomplished, will be swept away in a generation."

The younger man's eyes gleamed brightly in the gloom. The intensity of his gaze lost on the reflective mood of his master.

"The Patriarch over played his hand my Lord. Your steady commentary and even tone in the Magnaura was a perfect statement at the time. More than one Senator made comment to me privately in support of your move."

Pausing the younger man considered his next words. The rain increased in its intensity ensuring anyone nearby could not hear their words.

"The Empire is finely balanced, I agree. At this time all possibilities for succession must be investigated to ensure a Komnenoi, and the best Komnenoi, ascends the throne.

"I am at your disposal my lord, what ever you wish me to do you must only ask. My Oath is to the Emperor first and the family second."

The easy gait of his stallion did nothing to affect the steady blue gaze now being directed at the Basileus.

Aleksios did not meet his eyes, he stared off into space, lost in thought.

"It may not always be that way, my friend."

He shook his head and shivered. Turning, the Basileus levelled an appraising look at Apionnas.

"Steps must be taken to ensure the Throne remains with the Komnenoi. When I die, you shall have Sofia. You will have more power, power to ensure the dynasty stays strong."

In response Apionnas bowed low in the saddle.

"You honour me with your trust my Lord.

I will begin my work on this immediately. Do you have a place or person in mind as to where I should start?"

The Basileus shook his head.

"No, this is for the future. For when my son rules. For now, we watch to see if anyone upsets the balance too much. . ."

Lightning flashed across the sky and a clap of thunder soon followed.

"Then we will act."