((Written in colloboration with AussieGiant))

Constantinople, 1081

I sometimes wonder what happened to the gods of old, those who shaped the world of my long passed ancestors and that have such a great importance in the ancient texts. I was taught by father Agathos and mother that when the Christ was born, they all died. Yet, how can we be truly sure? They might have been forgotten, simply left behind to the eroding winds of history. What of humans? What of me? In my time, many know my name and I was born with a clear destiny. Yet, once it is over and I am gone for good, will anyone remember who I was? In a millenia, will anyone wonder who I was, how I felt and what were my dreams? For, if gods can be vanquished by time, what hope have we of surviving the tides of time?

- Memoirs of Anna Komnenos

A small procession made its way through the streets of Konstantinopolis, the afternoon sun shining clearly above them. Leading the small group of mostly armed bodyguards, Anna Komnenos wore a simple white silk robe with gold filigree which was complemented by a veil of the same fabric and color. Since her visit to the Mavrozomis estate, she had forsworn the use of the traditional litter in favor of walking to her destination, especially for a visit to Hagia Sophia where she had to show humility before God.

In a short time, she found herself in front of the great church and signaled her retinue to wait for her, for surely no harm would come to her in this Holy place. Leaving them behind, she made her way to Hagia Sophia's entrance in bold strides and yet she faltered when she noticed two men also intent on entering the church. Her gaze quickly focused on the second man, the one who had attracted her attention. He seemed to stand out in the streets as much as she did, yet in his case, it was not because of who he was but more because of the way he was dressed.

Tall and sender, the young man was dressed unlike anyone Anna had ever encountered. Instead of the traditional chlamys or sagion, he wore a blue silk cloak of unknown design and embroidered with marking she could not recognize. Black bands of cloth on his upper arms also attracted her attention, displaying more puzzling markings.

Surely this was the Strator from the land of the Saracen of whom the rumormongers speak incessantly. Curious and seeing an opportunity, Anna raced ahead of two to block their path. Pointedly ignoring the older of the two men, she interpelled the object of her curiosity in a confident and somewhat haughty tone.

"I would speak to you... If you please." In reality, her demeanour indicated she would not give him any choice in the matter.

Her escort approached hastily until they were only at a few paces from her, their tension and nervosity palpable.

The older of the two men blanched white with shock at the words spoken towards the younger man, the shade of white paled even further when his faced registered who had spoken the words a few seconds later.

In contrast, the young Saracen officer paused deliberately in his stride and began to assess both the young woman in front of him, his uncle’s reaction and that of the guards closing in around the three of them.

In a slow and smooth motion he positioned himself between his uncle and the young woman and in an attempt to ease the guards apprehension, he opened the palms of his hands outwards and bowed deliberately with a practised motion.

"Assalaam Alaikum my lady, of course you may speak with me. What would you like to discuss?"

Clearly some of the attending guards knew Arabic as at least one tensed even further at the greeting.

Anna considered the foreign words spoken to her and noticed some of her guardians reacting visibly at them. Was it a threat? No, the tone was off. It seemed more like a greeting of somekind, yet she had no way of knowing if it was polite or not. Refusing to cede the initiative of the conversation, she pressed on heedless of true meaning of those two words.

"I have heard there is man in the Magnaura who comes to us from the south, from Egypt? It is said he is more Arab than Roman... Would you be this man?"

Her voice held no hint of accusation or reproach, only unbridled curiosity.

Glancing at the guards momentarily the young man could hear the sincerity of the question even though she did not answer as he was expecting. Clearly she was unware of the customs of Egypt.

"I can not be certain my lady, but I believe I was the only man dressed in the Senate session as you see now. Therefore it is safe to assume I am the person you are referring to.

Would you like to take tea and talk further or proceed into the Church?"

Anna was shocked, yet intrigued. No sane man would usually be so foreward with her and yet she did not find it wholly unpleasant. Yet, she was in public and had an appearance to maintain.

"Hagia Sophia can wait for me; we will talk further although I will abstain from consuming any tea. You may have some if you wish."

The last sentenced was voiced as if she was granting him a privilege. Motioning to an attendant to join her, she added a few words politely.

"You only need to ask and he will fetch it for you."

A glance at his uncle had the desired effect. The older man moved away and continued passed the circle of guards to hover near the massive doors of the Orthodox Church. The alarm etched in his uncles eyes was clearly seen by Apionnas yet the young man's calm deamenor never waivered.

Turning his gaze back to the woman in front of him he had to admit that with closer inspection she did seem more appealing that when he saw her on the steps of the Hippodrome.

Holding her gaze for a few moments longer than decorum permitted he finally bowed more fully.

"I've been remise my lady. My name is Apionnas Vringas, at least here in Byzantium."

Anna gave him a soft smile, discarting her attendant with a flick of her wrist.

"Apionnas..." She lingered on the word thoughtfully. "You have caused quite a stir with your uncommon attire. Some would brand you a traitor or an enemy, although I am sure you are trying to make some other point with this choice of clothing. I am not wrong, am I?

There were little expectations in her voice, only more curiosity.

Apionnas's raised eyebrow in response to her words, was more than enough for her to realise that there could possibly be more than one level of mean in the conversation they where having.

Again he held her gaze in his own for more than a few moments. It was not an uncomfortable silence as his slightly amused expression gave her more than enough to ponder while he chose his next words.

"Where I was raised this is a uniform and is regarded as a badge of rank and honour. Of course I am aware of where I am and much to my uncle's ire I've decided not to discard what I am and where I have come from.

Any person that so quickly assumes my allegiance is one way or another, based simply on how I look, is either a simpleton or easily influenced by superficial things."

Apionnas pauses to glance at the guards who are clearly close enough to hear everything being said. He continues;

"I doubt you are either. For example, the black bands around my arms indicate my name and rank inside the Mansuriyya regiment I served with.

You on the other hand seem to cause quite a stir by simply being in any particular place. My uncle says you are a princess and the daughter of the Basileus. How do you deal with being...how can I say...unique?"

She chuckled at the question. Had she not herself wondered the same thing many times? Nevertheless she replied without missing a beat.

"I mostly let others deal with my uniqueness, they usually worry about it enough for two." She spared a look to Apionnas's uncle, before producing another polite smile. "In the case of your uncle, he seems to be worrying enough for three."

Noticing a small crowd forming at a distance, but with its attention solely upon them, Anna spoke softly enough to reach only Apionnas's ear.

"It would seem this conversation has reached its end."

Then taking a more haughty tone all could hear, she added. "You may proceed into Hagia Sophia, Senator."

Smiling at the ruse the young Senator bowed and said loudly.

"Of course my Lady."

As he moved passed her he said more quietly.

"It has been a pleasure my lady. Assalaam Alaikum, may peace be upon you."