Re: Stories Thread
Constantinople, 1081
In the ninth hour of the day, when most people look forward to ending that day's labors, is when the labors of those who practice dishonest trades are only set to begin. It is in the ninth hour that one of the city's spy rings holds their daily councils, where they plan the activities for that day, which is to say that night. The meeting is always in a different place, and the members do not learn where until the seventh hour. There are only five core members, who share the profit and participate in the council, but there are many other associates who are paid fixed amounts for their efforts. Today the meeting is in the attic of a residential building somewhere in the city. The five sit around a small, square table.
At the head of the table sits Gregorios (Krikor) the Armenian. It is said that Gregorios has been a spy all his life, and that his first successful mission came when he was but four years of age, when he discovered his mother's adultery and sold that information to his own father for a hefty sum. He was a military and political spy for most of his life, at first for the Armenians, but also the Romans, Turks, Saracens, and anyone else who had money. It is said that in spite of this, he was always reliable and loyal to whomever was paying him at the time, but upon completing his mission, he would switch sides if better money was offered. Needless to say, this made him a very effective spy, for he was familiar with all the major powers in the region. Sometime past his fiftieth year, he decided to retire in Constantinople, which he chose because it was a major center of trade, and with material goods came also information from many distant lands. He was, in fact, offered the position of diplomat by the Romans since he spoke Greek, Armenian, Arabic, Turkish, and was quite familiar with Persian and Georgian too. He declined, however, not wishing to completely abandon his trade, he became involved in the local espionage community, building up a trustworthy group around him. He himself no longer goes out at night and actively engages in subterfuge. He often says that when a man's beard becomes gray enough that he can be seen at ten yards during a new moon, he has become too old for espionage, and that point he has passed many years ago. Instead, Gregory is the mastermind behind the operations of this ring, and is the de facto leader.
Next to him on his right sits Nikolaos, who is the youngest son of a moderately influential and fairly wealthy merchant in Constantinople, and stands to inherit very little of the family fortune. It is therefore that he turned to less than honorable pursuits. His famous name and fancy clothes can get him through the front door of places where the other spies would have to sneak in and not be seen by anyone while inside. This is very useful for him, for he is far from being a master at subterfuge, but is quite well adept at craftily manipulating people in conversation, and is very capable of realistically portraying many different identities. He is always sent when polite negotiations or questioning are required, and is also good at blending in with an upper class crowd, for he knows at least when to laugh and when to react, even if the subject matter is philosophy or poetry. He also knows enough classical Latin to follow along if some should decide to switch to it to prove how smart they are. Though he can blend in with a stationary crowd, he is rarely expected to follow and observe anyone. He is effectively the second in command.
Next to Nikolaos sits Pavlos (Pavle), who comes from the land of the Serbs, only son to a minor Serbian knight. His mother died at childbirth, and his father in battle against the Bulgars when the son was aged eleven. Having no particular reason then to stay at his home, he left and eventually wound up in Constantinople. Being on his own from a young age, he has acquired a resourcefulness that only a few possess. It is said that he once stole a fancy tunic embroidered with gold from a rich man while he was wearing it in the middle of the market in broad daylight. It fetched a good profit. In his thirties now, he has acquired many skills befitting a spy. He can gain access to any building short of the Imperial Palace, he can follow and observe people for weeks without being noticed, he knows how to use the shadows to his advantage, and at night he is said to be invisible. He prefers to work alone and does most of the subtle work for the group.
On the other side of the table, on Gregorios' left, sits Eirene (Irina). Eirene is a Slav from the far north, though even she is not sure exactly where. Her village was raided by Varangians when she was little, and she was carried off and sold as a slave. She was taken to Kiev, where she escaped, and stowed away on a merchant ship which took her to Constantinople. She is the youngest in the group, though fully mature and wise beyond her years. Unfortunately, it is impossible for her to remain inconspicuous in a crowd, for the Greeks are not used to seeing people with such a light complexion and hair. Of course, this can also be used as a distraction, and anyone who makes the mistake of looking into her eyes quickly becomes oblivious to his surroundings. However, since no one who sees her face will ever forget it, it makes her difficult to use in this way more than once without drawing suspicion. She is an expert at very subtle seduction, and can use it well to obtain information, as men tend to be quick to trust her, usually to their own demise. She refuses to sleep with anyone to obtain information, but feigning a small bit of interest is enough for most purposes.
Across from Gregorios sits Ajax, who was named Dorotheos by his parents, but no one who values the structural integrity of his collarbone calls him by that name. A native brigand of Constantinople, his stature fits his nickname well. He spent several years in the Roman army as an infantryman, but left after Manzikert and returned to Constantinople. He is the one who is sent when most impolite negotiation or questioning is required. Sometimes he is sent when there are people who know too much, or whose actions are being adverse to the group's activities. In general, he is useful when anything that requires a complete lack of tact needs to be done. Oddly enough, he can be used to follow people, even though he is conspicuous, because people are more than willing to assume that he just happens to be walking in the same direction as them if that means that they won't have to confront him about following them. He scares small children and also fully grown adults.
These are the members of the Spyridon Mikellides spy ring. They can be hired to spy on anyone, and are currently working on three cases, the nature of which I would rather not write lest it be considered adverse to their activities. They are good, but they are expensive. Finding them is difficult, but not impossible. There is a pub somewhere in the city away from the main roads, near the Wall of Constantine. It is not easy to find, but once you have found it, you will know it, for it has the letter μ painted on the door. You must come there on a tuesday evening, and stay until it closes in the third hour of the night. When you are asked to leave, ask to see Spyridon Mikellides, but do not expect anyone to know who you are speaking of. Having done that, leave and stand near the door. Eirene will come presently, and feigning prostitution will ask you to join her. This is done so as to not draw undue attention, for it is a common occurrence in that part of the town. Now this is important, for it is the point at which most contact attempts fail, you must respond in the affirmative without any emotion. You must not smile or say anything else, and you must certainly not touch her. If you do this right, you will be taken to Nikolaos, but will otherwise be taken to Ajax. Nikolaos will be interested in discussing espionage opportunities with you, but Ajax will generally not.
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Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro
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