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."

[Privateerkev]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This is a co-op by YLC and myself.

Adana: 1111

Makedonios walks down into the cell of the man who attacked him the other night.

The man stuck to the shadows of his cell, not speaking.

With a couple guards in tow, Makedonios walks up to the man, careful to note the length of the chains the man is attached to.

"Alright, has time down here changed your mood?"

Still, the man does not reply.

Careful to first get in a fighting stance, Makedonios steps close enough to get a good look at the man. His guards are right behind him with their hands on their swords.

The man tries to edge his way away from Makdonios's sword, face still hidden.

Makedonios signals for one of his men to get a torch to shine some light in the cell.

"Alright, what is going on?"

The torchlight reveals a much older, unkempt man then Evdaemon. He throws himself to the ground before Makedonios's feet. "Please sire! He said he would kill my family if I did not do as he says!"

Makedonios sheaths his sword and bends down. "Someone get me the keys!"

A guard comes in and hands over the keys. Makedonios reaches down and unshackles the man.

"Don't worry. He can't hurt you now. Let me know where your family is and we'll put them in a safe place."

The man grabs Makedonios by the arm. "Thank you, thank you...they are in the southern quarter of Adana."

Makedonios pulls him up. "Do you know anything about the man who put you in here? How did he get out and how did you get in?"

The man nodded. "Both of them were from the Organization. They replaced the man in this cell by having me disguise myself as a guard. In the cell, I used the keys and he took the disguise, leaving me to be locked up here."

Makedonios nodded. "Alright, well lets get you out of here and get a hot meal in you."

[ULC]

Constantinople 1111

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Co-op done with AG help

The time and place had been selected months in advance. In that time more than a few incidents had occurred to make this meeting more important than merely keeping an eye on "The Organization".

Waiting patiently in the gloom of hot evening Apionnas toyed with the frayed silver cording on the hilt of his scimitar.

This meeting was certainly going to have more substance to it than he first envisaged.

A dark cloaked man with a red raven emblem appears from the darkest part of the alleyway. "You wanted to speak to us?"

The familiar raised eyebrow was lost on the the figure due to the gloom. The tone of voice more than made up for it.

"That depends entirely on you my friend. Are you Aleksander?"

"And if I was?"

"Then I would know who I'm talking to. I generally prefer that in the conversations I have with people."

The man seems to struggle with something. "I am not Aleksander, although I do know of him..."

"Hmm, well then at least you are aware of my relationship with him...I hope.

Your organization has been implicated in the incident at Iconium. Are you able to confirm this to be the truth or not?"

The man considers for longer this time. "I can confirm it..."

Apionnas shakes his head.

"What exactly is your organisation trying to accomplish? I'm finding it hard to determine from where I am standing?"

The man is about to say something, but suddenly clams up and seems almost gripped in terror.

"What the hell is wrong with you man?! Are you in danger? Are you meant to be here meeting with me?"

Another, very familiar voice speaks up. "The danger he is in is danger he brought about himself. And he will be meeting with whom he is supposed to very soon. Time to atone for your sins, Nikitas."

The cloaked man turned to run as fast as he could, but Ignatios was faster, tackling him to the ground. Ignatios brought up a dagger to strike, screaming. "This symbol does not belong to you! You do not deserve life for what your kind have done!"

Apionnas snakes a hand out and grabs Ignatios's wrist in a vice like grip.

"Stay your hand Ignatios!! Killing him is surely not the way to exact revenge!"

Ignatios gaze refuses to waver from poor Nikitas, who's terror is evident. "I must do this Apionnas, it is not for me that I do this. I must reclaim the symbol he cares, the Red Raven. And he...he has no place in this world."

"Have you lost all your senses. Who compels you to murder someone!? Reclaim the symbol but cold blooded murder is not you Ignatios. Think man, before you do something you may later regret."

With that Apionnas removed his hand from Ignatios' wrist.

Ignatios holds the dagger in the air for awhile before ripping the raven emblem from Nikitas back. "You are not worth it Nikitas...go, die from your own shame." Nikitas fear turns into pure panic and outright cowardice as he begins to run from the alleyway.

Grabbing the older man by his shoulder Apionnas turns him so they are facing each other.

"I wont pretend to know what is going on here Ignatios, but you should certainly consider dropping these games of espionage and sedition. You seem to be on a knife edge and you are clearly not able to keep balance.

If you need assistance I can help you if you wish it?"

Ignatios sighs deeply. "Apionnas, there is much going on...and I wish I could confide in someone. I grow tired of staining my hands Apionnas...but someone must do what I am doing. I cannot allow such people, such traitors, to continue to do what they did at Iconium...will you listen to my story Apionnas?"

Holding the man's gaze for some moments, Apionnas finally releases his grip on the Ignatios.

"I will. But not here. We shall retire to a safe place near here."

Ignatios nods "Agreed."

Ignatios lead Apionnas through the winding streets, and those without a very good sens of direction would have long since been lost. Suddenly Ignatios seems to pick a place at random and enter it. The place he chooses though seems lived in well enough, with a small bed and a neat stack of clothes. Off to one side is a tray with several glass tubes and a what seems to be vile liquids and powders. A belt of throwing knives sits of to one corner.

"We can talk here in private. I am sorry for leading you in circles, but I had to make sure no one was tailing us."

Ignatios sits down and offers the only chair in the place to Apionnas.

"Where shall I begin? With the formation of the Organization or when it went wrong?"

Apionnas remains standing. Leaning against a wall he takes in the room. Turning back he folds his arms.

"Begin with the formation and then what went wrong?"

"It started when I first met Aleksander in Constantinople, near the Da Milano villa with a young girl who he had saved from the fire that had consumed the villa. I watched him for a bit, thinking that I was hidden well enough. When he suddenly left, I decide to step out and check to see if the young girl was okay. Instead, I felt a blade upon my back: Aleksander had doubled back faster and more quietly then I would have ever expected."

"Instead of killing me, he offered me a chance, join his "Organization". I agreed, unknowing he was in fact creating it as he spoke: me and the young girl, Veronica I think was her name, were his first recruits."

"We went on to gather even more people to our cause: protecting the Empire. But to Aleksander, who had seen and heard the apathy and the treacherous tendencies of the nobility...to him, it was the people, the common man, that was the Empire. The first thing we set out to do was rid the Empire of it's rampant underground, and we were successful at first: most of it was all loosely held together or very fractious at best...until we met Markellinos."

"It went downhill fast from there. Markellinos was an army deserter, and he had taken his whole unit with him, and with their experience, they proved difficult to uproot. That is, until we captured Symeon. There was something about the man I did not like, but Aleksander took a liking to him. They thought the same way, acted the same way, even had the same ideals...but there was something more sinister about Symeon."

"I investigated, followed Symeon around. I soon learned he had alternate motives in 1098, when he ransacked the Princess's room. I tried to warn Aleksander, but all he did was chastise Symeon. It wasn't until 1105 that in my attempt to catch Symeon, he tricked me into switching places with him: that is how you captured me. Afterward, I learned that he had soon after went on to rebel against Aleksander in my absence."

"I lost all hope at that moment, not knowing if Aleksander was alive or dead. All I could do was to regain what was lost, and to hunt down the traitorous scum one by one..."

Ignatios takes a death breathe and gets up to get a pitcher of water. He pours himself a glass and drinks from it first. After a few seconds, he then pours a glass and offers it to Apionnas.

Apionnas reaches out and takes the glass. He then slowly places it on the table by the door.

"Go on. Continue."

That was, until I met-" Ignatios pauses for a moment and when he hears a series of knocks at the door. He turns to Apionnas, and brings up a finger to his lips. Ignatios then walks silently over to the door, and with dagger in hand, yanks it open and seizes the man in the door way. "Ignatios! Please! You seem more paranoid everyday! Oh, hello Apionnas, interesting to meet you here." Ignatios releases his grip. "Kyrillos, please, stop doing the knocks in reverse order."

Shaking his head in slight surprise.

"Kyrillos, I'd suggest you start explaining your involvement. You know I can have you removed from Imperial service. My master will not be impressed if he finds out you are not loyal."

As Ignatios moved back to his seat, Kyrillos smiled gleefully. "I thought a man in my profession always had his loyalty in question." Kyrillos made a swift bow to Aponnias. "But, since you ask, I have Imperial Orders to find and locate someone from the Organization for interrogation. As it turns out, Ignatios was only to happy to oblige me, although, I must say, I feel as if he has wrapped me into going on this mad little quest of his..."

Ignatios turns back to glare at Kyrillos. "Enough Kyrillos, why have you come here now? Were you tailing me again? I thought I had detected someone in the alleyway."

"I've heard nothing until now that makes me think this isn't simply some crazed group of subversive nonsense. You've skirted around everything of any substance until now Ignatios. I wont expend anymore time on this endeavour unless that changes now."

Ignatios looks up at Apionnas. "What would you have me do?"

It is clear that Apionnas is becoming increasingly frustrated. He continues in an even tone however.

"Why don't you continue from 'That was, until I met...'

Ignatios looks at Apionnas thoughtfully. "If I tell whom I met, I want you to agree to help him. I also ask that he be is not reported to his immediate lords...I will give my life to protect the trust this man put in me, and I will not break that trust."

"My life is committed to the service of the Basileus. If I regard what I hear as something he needs to be informed about then I am compelled to advise him. That is not something that is ever going to be in question. You must decide if you wish to go further and if there is anything you want from me. To be honest Ignatios I'm not sure if this meeting will be worthwhile for you.

I came to investigate a lead on this organization and I have not seen anything until now that is out of the ordinary or reason for great alarm.

I leave it up to you how to continue."

Ignatios shakes his head. "Then you do not know Symeon as I do. The man will not stop until he has what he wants, and if that means setting fire to every city in the Empire, so be it. I am sure you know of his involvement at Iconium? He plans to do that in as many cities as he can before the Caesars term as Megas is up...and unless he is caught, he will continue to press on."

Ignatios leans back and exhales deeply. "I wish to ask you to do something for me, and in return for this, I will render whatever service you ask: protect Iakovos for me. I owe his brother a debt that I don't think I will ever repay..."

"You're right. I do not know this 'Symeon' at all. If he wishes to continue in his activities as you have outlined then he will find the full might of the Empire directed against him. I doubt he will be able to function effectively if that occurs. He seems to have made a fatal error and that is to be identified clearly as the main antagonist.

As for your request. I already have a responsibility to three people, that will possibly grow. I will do what I can for your colleague, but if things are not as they seem then I can not promise much. If his situation is 'just' and 'true' then I will use all my influence to ensure his safety."

Ignatios smiles wearily. "Thank you for that, it is now one more thing that unburdens me." Ignatios turns to look at Kyrillos. "Since you seem fit to do nothing except eavesdrop, why do you not go and alert our benefactor as to the current situation."

Kyrillos makes to object, but quickly closes his mouth and turns to leave.

"Do I wait here Ignatios? What is the next step in this?"

Ignatios shrugs. "I think it better if you return to the Emperor. If you need me, you can find me. Just ask Kyrillos..."

"Indeed."

And with that the young Saracen officer leaves.

[_Tristan_]

An offer
Constantinople, 1110

(Done with YourLordandConqueror's approval)

Late into the night, Methodios slowly closed the door to the bedroom where his wife Zoe lay in their bed, with their little girl Hypatia sleeping next to her in her crib. Thinking of the kindness of life to have given him such angels, Methodios silently made his way to his study. Sitting down behind his desk, he went back to studying the maps of the Mediterranean sea.

He remembered how Zoe had taken the news when he told her he would go “Crusading” to Egypt, how she had been afraid of him losing his life on this distant soil. It had taken days of talking to her for Methodios to convince her that it was what he had to do. She finally saw the urge behind Methodios’ motives for leaving and accepted to let him go.

Now, the men had been recruited and the fleet had been commissioned. In a few days, they would set sail on this “Holy Mission”.

Methodios didn’t care one whit for the fact that the mission was presented as Holy by the Patriarch. All he saw was men and women in grave danger of death at the hands of the Caliph, bent on venting his fury on unsuspecting Christians, most of them merchants, craftsmen and farmers, with no means to defend themselves. Defending these people is what drove Methodios to join in the Crusade. And searching the depths of his soul, he knew there was another : a longing for the battles and the feeling of life lived at its fullest that they brought.

Absorbed in the maps and accounts of sailors of the sea routes to Egypt, Methodios was not immediately aware of a subtle change in the room. But gradually, his senses honed by years of living a soldier’s life, he began to feel that the light breeze that came from the open window was less than what it was minutes before. Slowly reaching for the dagger that rested on a corner of a map, he started from his chair, overturning it and in a single pace was at the window and grappling the dark silhouette of the man standing on the threshold of the balcony.

The man moved fast and managed to free himself but Methodios moved faster still and anticipating his opponent’s next move, tripped him and dropped upon him on the floor, pinning his arms with his knees. The man writhed but Methodios’ dagger to his throat stopped him.

“Now, what have we here ? A robber ? A spy ? An assassin ? State your business and fast before I kill you…” Methodios said, inching his blade closer to the man’s throat, drawing a drop of blood.

“Methodios… Please… Stop… I’ll explain…” the man said within gasps.

“Then do it fast… I do not have a reputation for patience…” Methodios warned, surprised at hearing the man calling him by his name.

With a shake of the head, the man pushed away the cowl that had obscured his features until then. Shock made Methodios release his grip on the man and take a step back.

“Aleksander ?” Methodios said in an unbelieving whisper.

Rubbing his wrists, the man slowly stood up. Large of build, with long dark hair, the man still retained some of the youthful innocence that Methodios remembered though it seemed clouded by the knowledge of the world.

“Yes… Methodios… It has been many years since you promised to take me on your next mission, remember ?” Aleksander said, with a somewhat sheepish smile. “Sorry to have intruded like this but my life is at risk and I must take all steps necessary…”

“Your life at risk ? Coming into my house like this, it surely is… I could have killed you there…” Methodios said, chidingly “But I thought you were dead… Your father, your brother…”

“Yes… I wish I was… Dead with them… But Destiny had something in store for me…”

Methodios relaxed a bit but kept his dagger at hand. Sitting back behind his desk, he motioned Aleksander to sit in the chair in front of the desk.

Once sat, Aleksander started telling Methodios of how he had been away from the army camp, training with his bow when the Turks attacked. Rooted by fear, he had been unable to join in the fighting alongside his father and brother. When the battle had finished, he slowly made his way through the camp and found the bodies of his father and brother. Stricken by grief and shame, he had remained there until Turk soldiers found him and carried him away in chains with some survivors of the massacre.

Aleksander then recounted how he was sold as a slave in a Turkish market but escaped some years later and almost managed to come back to the Empire, only to fall from exhaustion and heat-stroke as he neared Cannakale. The people who found him thought him dead and laid him in a shallow grave by the roadside. On awakening from his stupor, he found himself buried alive and went half mad from it. Gathering the last of his wits, he succeeded in clawing his way out of it. He was found by members of the local underground and taken in.

There, unable to face his mother and brother Iakovos with the shame of what happened during the battle, he merged himself in the underground. He saw how the poor suffered whoever ruled in Constantinople and an idea wormed itself in his head : to unify and use the underground as a tool in the service of the Empire. Slowly, he went up the ranks of the local underground and then took over other gangs until he had the basis for his “Organization”, intent on protecting the empire from whoever threatened it, be it the Emperor himself.

“I have heard of your Organization, Aleksander… I am still unable to believe that you can be in league with such people ? Why have you threatened the Princess’ life and her daughter’s, for God’s sake ? That’s pure villainy…”

“Methodios… I had nothing to do with that… I assure you…” Aleksander pleaded “You must understand… There are forces at work here over which I have no more control…” Aleksander hung his head in his hand.

“I ask nothing but to believe you, Alex… But I’ll need more to believe you…”

“Most of the Organization has been wrenched from my hands like a toy from a babe, Methodios… Now, its members seek my death… All because of misplaced trust…”

Aleksander then told Methodios of how he met Symeon and struck a friendship with the man, of how Symeon slowly wormed his way through the Organization, little by little gaining control, until Aleksander found himself in a minority and with his life at risk for opposing Symeon’s plans for the Organization.

“Methodios, you must believe me… Symeon is a religious fanatic… He has taken over the Organization with only one thing in his mind : spreading the Orthodox faith around the Mediterranean and beyond, whatever the costs in human lives and whatever the means to achieve those ends…”

“And why come to me at this time, Alex ? For protection ? You have it… You can stay here as long as you want… My house is yours…”

“No… If I remained here, you’ll be in danger… Your wife and kid’s life would be put at risk, and that I cannot allow… But I heard you joined the Crusade… I am here to persuade you not to go…”

“Not to go ? And what of all those poor souls condemned to death on a whim by the Caliph ? I can’t stand by idly and wait for them to die… I have to do something… That’s why I’m going…”

“But don’t you see Methodios that you’re playing in Symeon’s hands by going to Egypt ? He’s in league with the Patriarch…” Aleksander said, a concerned look upon his face.

“you’re making that up, aren’t you ?” Methodios said, disbelieving what he just heard.

“No… Though it would be almost impossible to prove… On my honour, Methodios… I speak the truth… The Crusade is only a ploy for the Patriarch to gain power and turn the Empire into some kind of theocracy… Please, do not play his game… Remain here…”

“There is another option, Alex… What if someone were to beat the Crusaders to the finish and refused to recognize the Patriarch’s authority but professed their loyalty to the Emperor… That would throw the plan out of kilter, don’t you agree ?”

“Yes, I suppose it could” Aleksander said, considering. “Would you do it ?”

“I have no love for the Patriarch and I have no love for the God of Christians, though I should perhaps not be telling this… I didn’t join the Crusade as a Holy Soldier but simply to procure help to those beleaguered people in Egypt, the fact that they are Christians is of no matter to me… I know of some people who are in accordance with me though for different reasons… Right now, you stand alone in your fight Aleksander but join us and we could become powerful… Egypt could be our stepping stone… Once we have Egypt, we can start a House and I’m sure our numbers will grow… Then we will be able to defy Symeon and the Patriarch and expose their plans… What say you ?”

“It could work, Methodios… But I’ll have to remain in the shadows… For now, my credibility has suffered through the actions of Symeon… If I came to the light, I would be arrested and thrown in jail…”

“Then maybe you could act as our liaison with the Organization and our contact with the other Houses... And what of Iakovos ? Shall I tell him I saw you ?”

“No, please… Don’t…” Aleksander recoiled as if burned “I’m not ready yet to confront him… I must redeem myself first…” Standing up and walking to the balcony, Alksander added “I must go, Methodios but we’ll meet again before you leave… There is much to do if we want our plan to work…” Putting his cowl over his head, Aleksander takes tow steps on the balcony then vaults over the railing.

Methodios walked to the balcony to see the lone figure of the man crossing the garden and climbing the wall to the street.

“Goodbye… My friend…”

******

[Ituralde]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Coop Story between Kagemusha and Ituralde

Yerevan 1224:

The room was dimly lit, only a few braziers positioned in the far corners cast some shadows over the large table standing in the middle of the room. The glaring sun outside was shut out along with the din of noises from the street by thick blankets draped over the large windows. Although they were meant to keep the heat outside too a thin sheet of sweat had appeared on Pavlos brow and he eagerly took a sip at the wine in his goblet coming from the relative cool of the cellars.

"Ah, Comes Kontakouzinos! Welcome to Yerevan, welcome to your domain. 'Tis a fine city isn't it? A bit warm for my liking, nothing like a good fresh wind blowing from the sea, that's what I say."

Pavlos had set down his goblet on the table as the other man had entered and walked a few steps towards his visitor, gripping Ioannis hand firmly and locking the gaze with the taller man.

"But please sit down. It must have been a long journey!"

Motioning to one of the seats he takes the one across from Kontakouzinos.

Ioannis was sweating. He had traveled with his small retinue, through Anatolia, witnessing both the harsh winter and hot summer. The hot arid weather of Armenia would have been harsh for him 10 years a go, but after experienceing the fierce weather of the Steppe and Carpathians, he had grown more tolerable against any kind of weather.

"My Lord. It is easy to say that this place is no Constantinopol. No Sea and surrounded by Mountains. Dry and hot during the summer and cold and snowy during the winter. But this place is as good as any to serve the Empire."

Ioannis said the first sentences with a joking tone and with a small wrinkle of a smile on his face. The latter with more serious tone on his voice. Kantakouzinos answered to the gaze of the older man with a firm but friendly expression and sat down, opposite to Pavlos Chrysovergos, the veteran of the Komnenodoukai and his new lord.

"It is indeed and you better get bloody used to it. Sinop, Trebizond, Tblisi and Yerevan, that we will be our power base, and hopefully Diyarbarkyr, for which you may use my Private Army. The storming of this place has shown me that I'm getting too old for these campaigns, it's time for my vassals to step up, eh?"

"The Caesar has told me that he will keep Nicaea and Can.. Dardanellia once he, you know, inherits the throne. Which brings me to my next point. We need to plan for the time when Ioannis Komnenos is Emperor. He will need our support and I am willing to give it to him, are you?"

Ioannis lets his eyes wonder around the room, while listening carefully when Pavlos speaks. Then when the older man is finished, Kantakouzinos turns his eyes towards the man opposite to him and replies.

" I have become blunt in my speech over the years, but that also means, what i say, i mean."

Ioannis pauses and turns his eys from Chrysovergos to the window and looks somewhere far, far away, somewhere where one cant see from the window of the place they are and he continues.

"As you know i spent years chasing my personal goals and to be honest, neglected my duties for the Komnenodoukai. I chased the love of the princess, i chased my own domain from the edge of the steppe, but when i got adopted by Caesar i fulfilled my main goal, which was to have Kantakouzinos and Komnenos family to be one.
My past actions might suggest that i live only for my only goals, but as my goals are filled, i live to preserve what has been achieved."

He turns his eyes from the window, to Pavlos and says with a determined voice.

"Now that my goal is filled. I will not let anyone or anything hurt my family, the royal family. You can be sure of it that i will be obedient to the Caesar to my grave and to you. You Pavlos Chrysovergos are the most senior of us to lead the Komnenodoukai house after Caesar succeeds his father and you can count on me to me stand by your side, what ever that will take. I am ready to kill any man who stands in the way of the Imperial family or our house, be it whom ever."

Ioannis pauses as his expression is getting once again more then diabolic, just like many times in the senate. He continues with a softer voice.

" I have one man in my retinue, whom i have lot to thank for my success. He foresaw that my destiny waited me in the North. Not like i thought that it would have met me in Iasi, but it met me in the Carpathian hills in form of rebel army. There i understood that serving the empire was the right path.

This man is called Petrus and he has lots of wisdom inside him. He can predict man´s future from the stars. Maybe one of these days you would like to meet him and test his skills?"

Pavlos smiles shortly, before his face becomes grim again, enhanced by the scar putting the left side of his mouth in a constat downcast.

"I bloody like a man who speaks his mind and this Petrus sounds like an interesting man indeed. Now that these things are out of the way there is an important matter we need to settle. Ampelas and that Crusader have shown that we are mortal so it's important that any such event doesn't catch us surprised. I have prepared a document."

He shoves a scroll from the table in front of him towards Kontakouzinos, the title is just readable: Will of Pavlos Chrysovergos.

"If you would set upt a similar document this should ensure that the power of the Komnenodoukai remains between the two of us. Of course after my death you're free to bloody change it as you will. We both know that the Caesar has made many enemies and supporting him as Basileos may put us in the line of danger."

"You offered to sacrifice your life for the Emperor and myself. I'm flattered, but my priorities lie differently. Once before the Empire broke because of inner strife and provinces like Armenia, Georgia or Pontus were lost. Should something similar occur again I will not abandon my people for the sake of Imperial intrigue!"

Pavlos steeples his hands in front of his face.

"I hope you will still follow me and offer a similar document?"

Ioannis reads through the document, picks up a scroll and ink and writes down few words and signs the document. Then with a quick motion he pull´s his dagger and cuts his thump, presses the bloody thumb on the pergament hard, leaving a wet splash of blood to the pergament.
Kantakouzinos raises up on his feet and offers his hand to Pavlos Chrysovergos with an expression of determination and mutual understanding on his face, saying.

"I understand what you say and i agree."

Pavlos graps the others ones wrist in a firm grip once more returning his determined look with his grim face.

"I'm bloody happy to have you as my vassal Ioannis Kontakouzinos!"

Ioannis replies.

"Its good to serve a master who knows his what he is doing."

The two men sit down and after a bit of silence and few sips of wine, Ioannis opens another scroll showing it to Pavlos and speaks.

"My Lord, maybe you would like to look something little I have been planning for the Caucasus border, once we have taken it all, I think this kind of system of forts could help us protect our border to Steppe."

The two men look at the drawings and start talking about the matter, as the mid days heat in Yerevan starts to turn into more tolerable evening weather of Amenia.

[Ramses II CP]

A speech is given in Constantinople before a massive crowd, and reproductions of it on paper soon appear throughtout the Empire.

On the Society of Secret Muslims and their Brotherhood of Friends,

Today I must raise a terrible spector of danger. Today I must warn you noble masses of an impending disaster. Today I must, though it pains me so, inveigh against a high born man of our Empire who, through his own actions, has indicted himself as a...

with a quirk of his eyebrow the white haired speaker pauses for a dramatic breath,

Secret Muslim!

Yes brothers, yesssss, such a vile desperado walks among the confidences of the Emperor himself unknown, unguessed, and unrevealed. He pours poison into the ears of our leaders, hoards wealth and resources for his private Muslim Brotherhood army. He even now has arrived at the Senate chambers and spews his insidious untruths into the nobly open ears of our own good representatives. He marched through these very streets, rubbing his secret crescent tattoo beneath his garmets and begging his heathen god's aid in subverting the Emperor.

And who is it that could so hideously betray the ideals of Rome? And who is it that mocks the most Holy Crusade our devout Orthodox brothers have undertaken? And who is it that rules a sect of the Empire dominated by falsely converted Muslims and full of assassins waiting to pour out their venom on your own defenseless persons?

None other than the most recent holder of the office of Megas Logothetes! None other than the man who invited a jiahd to pass him by and march on Constantinople itself! None other than the very beast who abandoned Markianos Ampelas and Kosmas Mavrozomis to be gutted by infidels!

None other than Caesar Ioannis!

I say again, none other than Caesar Ioannis!

It is said that the Emperor's wife was knocked down by a goat while Ioannis grew within her, and does this not sound precisely like how heathens breed? No fault can fall on the most noble Emperor for such an accident for any fruit may chance to roll far from the shade of it's tree, perhaps even into a dog's leavings, and rot!

Take note, wisest citizens, that no troops have been recruited for armies not under the control of his Secret Muslim brothers! Take note, most brilliant and beloved Romans, that no structures have been built except for the benefit of his openly Muslim civilians! Take note, please, please, I beg of you, take note that when the armies of Islam marched on our cities not one iota of effort did he expend to oppose them, nor will he ever, for it was at his behest that they marched!

On that black day when our Emperor falls, long be it in coming, will we allow ourselves to be ruled by a Secret Muslim? By a darkly evil brother in that most infectious of Brotherhoods? By a heathen who mocks the words of God and Patriarch?

Carry this close to your hearts my friends, and know it for truth, a figure shall arise to oppose these Secret Muslims. A figure clothed in righteousness, a figure devout and holy, a figure who has stood against the jihad and who has truly converted the heathens to the words of Orthodoxy. All glory to that man, all praise to his name, and may God deliver all power into his hands!

So says,

Isaeus the Truthspeaker

OOC: Okay, so this won't be nearly as funny to people who aren't following the more insane bits of US politics, but hopefully it'll get a few laughs all the same. FD's previous bits of propoganda were, naturally, of some inspiration as well.

[AussieGiant]

A blue and red robed Saracen looking figure observes proceedings in the square where the speech is given. Once completed the hooded man departs in a measured stride. Those foolish enough to be easily motivated by the speech approach the departing figure with intent. They quickly realise the grave error they have made and give him a wide berth.

[AussieGiant]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Co-op piece with GH

Cairo, 1124

The same office that had been a hive of activity just one week before was now deserted. Operations had been suspended, tying up loose ends and wrapping up the mission was now nearly complete.

Most of his agents had left the city, only those on more long term assignments or part of the population had stayed. Hopefully the identity and mission of these agents would be protected for years to come. The work he had done here would, or could, if managed successfully allow for decades of ongoing surveillance and information.

Rather than leave himself, one last lead had to be followed up on. Normally he would not have stayed given the danger, but the risk did not outweigh the potential reward. This was literally a key witness as to whether elements of the Orthodox clergy were able to be confirmed as part of the overall mission.

Now, leaning against a wall in a late night market in the centre of Cairo the Saracen looking officer waited. The hair on the back of his neck clearly suggested the enemy was nearby. Never the less he waited, ignoring the tell tale signs of impending danger that would normally have him withdraw as fast as he could.

His eyes continued to scan the crowd. Looking for the person he had organised to meet.

Unfortunately, Apionnas was unaware that the crowd was scanning him too, at least, several members were. As a result of his mind being fixed on completing his task and getting the heck out of Cairo, he missed several key alarms that a more cautious person would easily pick up on.

A man, digging into a large watermelon, between bites staring at his mark, making sure he stayed put. A vendor, looking very out of place for somebody selling his wares in a generally Muslim city, hawking goods in only one direction. A figure, face and body obscured by a dark hooded cloak, merging with a shadow in an alley. A shopper, eternally browsing only a small section of the market, walking back and forth, conveniently in the exact same section that Apionnas was standing.

And so on.

They were, to a man, all more vigilant and watchful than their target, but of course, they were expected to be. Numbers and knowledge of their target were on their side. All they had to do was wait for the Saracen looking man to make his move and then they would be on him.

They had been watching him for months if not years, all collecting information on the man and his contacts, only confirming his identity a short while ago. They had let the man's agents go freely; after all, they were not the big prize. They knew nothing, and even if they did, it would be difficult for men of their standing to get their messages to the proper people.

Now, the true prize awaited and was near. An error was about to be corrected.

Pushing himself of the wall Apionnas recognised his man. A high level administrator in the Grand Vizier's office. Even just half and hour with him would confirm everything he had pieced together so far.

Steadily, he paced up behind his contact. He noted the man's fine robe and the dagger concealed beneath. At last, it was time to catch his prize.

Just then, a hand clamped on his shoulder. The grip was strong and powerful. Apionnas wheeled around, trying to get a good look at the hand's owner and shake him off, but before he had a chance more hands came out of nowhere, holding down his arms, blocking his mouth.

"Well well well, a Greek Senator in Cairo even before the Crusade has hit," a voice said. "I'm sure His Eminence will be very interested to know what you're doing down here, especially considering your... history."

[GeneralHankerchief]

The Byzantine Blab

Your Daily Dose of Gossip in a Lovely, Effeminate Shade of Purple Since 330 AD

August 1125 Edition - Special Magnaura Report

Patriarch Lucks Out in Alexandria Conflict
Was legal loophole a blessing from God... or tricky maneuvering?

By Woodros Bernsteintinos
CONSTANTINOPLE - Mere hours after the controversial Edict 4.5 was passed in the Magnaura essentially shipping Patriarch of Constantinople Nicholas III to yet-to-be conquered Alexandria, a statement was issued from the Office of the Patriarch proclaiming that, in preparation for the move to Alexandria, an error was discovered the ancient Book of Orthodox Doctrine.

The Book, written in ancient times when the Eastern Roman Empire was flourishing and when Alexandria was under its control, lists the various Patriarchates and the powers allocated to each. Amended to keep up with the current state of the Byzantine Empire, the Patriarch of Constantinople oversees the religion in the greater Greece area, has a say in the legitimacy of royal heirs, and is allowed an official Representative in the Magnaura, among other things. In comparison, the Patriarch of Alexandria oversees Orthodoxy in Africa and the lower Levant and is allowed no greater say in the affairs of Constantinople.

However, as the Office has revealed, the Book contains a glaring misprint, previously undiscovered due to the fact that up until a few hours ago, the Patriarchate of Alexandria had not existed for centuries. In the headings for each section, the words "Constantinople" and "Alexandria" are accidentally switched, meaning that, technically, the allowance of a Representative and a voice in the matters of succession now fall under the Patriarch of "Alexandria"'s duties, and vice versa.

"What this means," said Nicholas III's official Representative, in an exclusive interview with the Blab, "is that Patriarch Nicholas essentially will continue in the same role he has had for the past years, with only his official title changing." The Representative went on to state that, despite the silliness and rather obviousness of the error, it is law, as the Book was legally voted to be "the absolute final say for all matters and disputes pertaining to Orthodoxy, as per the Joint Magnaura/Synod Resolution of 933 or something," said the Representative.

Others, however, aren't so sure that this error always existed. "Come on, just a little bit after the Patriarch loses the fight and gets shipped to Alexandria, it's suddenly revealed that the Patriarch of Alexandria now has all the powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople? Give me a break," said a disgusted Savvas ek Miltou, in a bit of a rush considering his historic tie for the position of Megas. "Clearly, Nicholas and his cronies are manipulating ancient dogma to subvert the rule of law. If that was always in place like they say it is, I'll eat my entire Magnaura bench."

When questioned about how quickly this oversight could be corrected, the Representative was not optimistic. "It's not as simple as crossing out 'Constantinople' and writing 'Alexandria' over it," he said. "Changing the Book is a very ancient procedure and will require, to start, a convening of at least two councils, followed by several votes as well as the Patriarch's approval. It could definitely take some time."

"This just adds to my case," Savvas said upon learning this, before he walked off in a huff.

As the learned portion of Constantinople was thrown into an uproar over hearing the two pieces of news, the few among them who remained calm said that the continued standoff did not bode well for the continued internal peace of the Empire.

"At this point, the Basileus and Patriarch are just trying to one-up each other," said a citizen who preferred not to be named. "Eventually, something's got to give, and I predict it will sooner rather than later."

The Patriarch could not be reached for comment.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Savvas ek Miltou used with Andres's permission.

[Ituralde]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A coop story between Ignoramus and Ituralde

Constantinople 1225:

Pavlos Chrysovergos enters the private audience chamber of Ioannis Komnenos and makes a small formal bow. His face, as always set in a grim expression he stares fixedly at a point slightly above the head of the Komnenodoukai.

"Caesar, my lord! Thank you for granting me this audience."

"Ah, Pavlos! Just the man I wanted to see. We have many things to discuss."

Pavlos remains standing in front of the Caesar.

"I'm glad you see it that way my lord! I have served you loyally in the past and followed your command and advice without question. I am grateful for the confidence you have put in me and I will do my best to lead the Komnenodoukai once you follow your father on the throne."

Pavlos hesitates a moment before continuing.

"But I bloody well see the tensions in the Senate and I fear your ascension to Basileus may not go as smooth as your father's. May I ask what your plans are for the future?"

Glancing quickly around the room, Ioannis leans forward before he speaks.

"I must be careful in what I say. While I doubt not that we are secure here, should word get out..."

Straightening himself, Ioannis leans back into his seat and continues.

"The Order have refused reconciliation. I had attempted mediation with Ksanthopoulos, but he was too arrogant or too proud to take it. Adding the disloyalty of the Order and the continuous insults hurled at me by its members, I am not kindly disposed towards them. If they do not change their ways, then I fear we may be plunged into civil war."

The short man nods slowly.

"What if Ksanthopoulos becomes Megas?"

"When I first swore loyalty to you I aksed for an army to conquer Sinop. That was my goal and you honoured my ambition and made me not only ruler of Pontus but of Armenia and Georgia as well. I make no secret of my desire. I despise what happened at Manzikert and that's why I have kept myself from the dealings in the Senate. I tried to bloody escape it, but here I stand at the center of the struggle. I will not abandon the outskirts of Rome to have it overrun by heathens again."

"I am a loyal man and thankful for what you have done, but with Ksanthopolous as Megas and Civil War. The Empire has to persevere!"

Smiling, Ioannis looked keenly at Pavlos.

"Indeed. But like it or not, as the future leader of the Komnenodoukai, you will not be able to avoid politics. I, myself, am not overly fond of politics. My mind is not as sharp as my father's, and I will sorely miss his wisdom. But I will not tolerate disrespect or disloyalty. Such actions caused the catastrophe that followed the murder of Basileus Maurice, and we still haven't fully recovered from that blow over 500 years ago. Surely you must see that if the Order continue to undermine my future authority and that of the Komnenoi family then they must be brought to account. To do otherwise would invite disaster."

"I agree, my lord. With everything you said. The letters of ek Lesvou ask for retaliation and the slander of Laskaris is not much better. Should their lords tolerate their actions further I fear there's no bloody alternative. I am your loyal servant and I will do my best to avoid Civil War. If I fail, I will follow your command, as always!"

Standing up, Ioannis accompanies Pavlos out of the room.

[Kagemusha]

Somewhere between Constantinopol and Sinop 1225

Tender summer breeze from Black Sea touched the cliffs and waved the dry bushes that grew between the large cliffs. The same breeze threw small sparkles from a campfire of Ioannis Kantakouzinos and his small retainer band. As Ioannis turned his eyes to the sky. He could see the thousands and yet thousands lights up in the sky and the large harvest moon, which shone is ghastly light on the black waves of the Black Sea.

Others were soundly asleep as it was his watch. When moving with his close men, Ioannis had always shared the hardships with his men. Eating the same, drinking the same, sleeping like the others did, under the bare sky. These men had became his brothers, while there was not a question who the leader was, Ioannis treated his men as equals and did not allow any luxuries to himself.

There Kantakouzinos sat and watched the fire as it created dancing shadows on his face thinking about the past and the future.

He thought about the past years.The wild dreams of the young man he once was. The despair that almost swallowed him at one point. The same despair in the end had made him want to die and it had been that wish of death that had brought him back to life. To a different life. To a life where serving had replaced ambition, maybe not entirely, but mostly. To a life where he had found out that he was not alone fighting the world, but together with others fighting for a cause. A cause which was defending the Empire, against all outside and also internal enemies.

Ioannis understood that life had not made him the most pleasant of men, nor that his hands were not clean of blood of the innocents. He knew that many of his fellow senators saw him as a madman or a man of villaneous character, but he also knew that if it was needed to be a villain or to drown the enemies of the empire into pools of their own blood. He would not feel bad about it. If the Empire needed terrible men in order for it to prosper, he was ready to sacrifice the last inch of goodness from his character for the Empire.

Ioannis also thought about a woman and not just about any woman. He was thinking about the a princess. Thinking about Anna. He had never stopped loving the princess, who had discarded him from her feelings probably a long time a go. She had married and given birth to many children to another man. But Ioannis did not feel hate towards her or her husband for it. He still held the green cloth, now stained in blood and old dirt, but still Ioannis kept it next to his heart at all times. It was as if the cloth had started to personify everything good that was left in him and also about the longing he felt for a woman that he never could have. Soon enough he should have to marry himself and give a heir to the Kantakouzinos family.

That was one last task he should full fill, before he would even bit more free from his oblications, but in the end Ioannis understood that his oblications would never end, until death would free him from his duties. Once he would have children he would have to protect them as he had to protect the Empire and the Royal family, from anything which would dare to threaten it.

After hours of lonely thoughts, Kantakouzinos woke up from his thoughts and lifted his eyes from the fire. There on the opposite side of the campfire, he regocniced familiar features. Hector his shield bearer and right hand man had already woke up and said to his master.

"Sire. There are still few hours before the sun comes up. Take your rest, it is my turn to guard the camp."

Ioannis smiled to Hector and lied down on his blanket, while the scarred veteran added some more firewood to the fire. Lying there under the stars on the shore of the Black Sea, Comes Kantakouzinos slept, slept and dreamed about the past and about the future.

[OverKnight]

This is a coop story between myself and YourLordandConqueror and is set after this post in the Magnaura.


Constatinople, 1125

Aleksios held his torch aloft, casting a dim light about the Catacombs. It revealed mouldering bones stacked in alcoves along the narrow passage. Pools of sewage were at his feet, staining the soft leather of his shoes sewn with purple thread. Aleksios coughed, he was too old to be crawling around in the muck like this, but not old enough to join the denizens of this place.

Behind the Basileus, Harald Sigurdsson, his Varangian captain, grunted, "My lord, couldn't this have been left to a messenger or one of your sons? It could be a trap. The person who contacted you is hardly trustworthy."

Aleksios shook his head, "A calculated risk, it seems the Patriarch has more than a few informants, the less people who know about this meeting, the better."

They made their way further into the Catacombs, finally emerging into an open area where several tunnels met. A few faint rays of sunlight poured through a small iron grate twenty feet above them. A rat, startled by their arrival, skittered away into the looming darkness.

The Varangian surveyed the scene, hand on the hilt of his sword, "I do not like this at all, my lord."

The Basileus sighed, "Neither do I, but I hope the enemy of my enemy is a friend."

As if in answer, torch light could be seen approaching down one of the tunnels.

The torchlight grew brighter, and soon from the tunnel opposite of the Basileus a figure appeared dressed in red and white, his face obscured by both a hood and a scarf of red. "I see you summoned up the courage to come see me." The man made no move, and simply stood underneath the archway of the tunnel.

The Basileus replied quietly, "A man who hides his face speaks of courage? No, it is necessity that has brought me here. This meeting was bought in blood, Iakovos was nearly killed bringing me information on the Organization. I've heard bits and pieces from him and others. Rumors that at least some of your fraternity are working for the Patriarch."

Aleksios stepped forward, "I need to know more. I need the blanks filled in. I hope you can help with that."

The man shifts his weight. "Of course I can...I am sorry to hear that you decided to involve my brother in this though. And please, refrain from implicating me in the Organizations actions, a "fraternity" I no longer control of."

"What do you wish to know?"

Aleksios replied, "Ah, you must be Aleksander, a pleasure to meet you. I am sorry your brother was hurt, but I had to cast a wide net to get even a few scraps of information.

"I know your former colleague Symeon now runs the Organization and that he is most likely involved with the Patriarch. It seems they are both plotting to set up a Theocracy in the Empire.

"I also know that the persecution of Christians in Egypt, the event that the Patriarch used to launch the Crusade, is highly suspicious. My agent investigating this has also encountered resistance from the Organization in Egypt; they were trying to curtail his investigation and I have lost contact with him. This leads me to suspect that the Patriarch is using the Organization to cover his tracks, indicating his involvement, somehow, with the pogrom. The Patriarch may be using Vissarionas ek Leskvou, conveniently placed in Cairo before hand, as a plant or a patsy as well. My guess is that the Patriarch plans to use the Crusade to stoke religious fervor in the Empire and pave the way for a power grab. He has already shown he will not accept his demotion."

The Basileus produced a sheath of papers, some stained with blood.

"I also have two out of three reports on the Organization provided by Iakovos. The first is a roster of agents, the third is incomplete but troubling and the second was intercepted and is now missing."

Aleksios handed the papers to Aleksander.

"As I said, I need the blanks filled in. I need evidence to implicate the Patriarch in all this. I need the information from the second report and what is misssing from the third."

Aleksander pulls away his disguise. "Not much point in this is there?" He shakes his black hair loose and looks at the papers handed to him. First he chuckles while looking at the first paper, but frowns when reading the third.

"I see...well, allow me to put into clearer terms for you. The first is incomplete, he lacks information on several agents. The third, it is simple enough, let me fill in the blanks...you have well over 150 Organization members within your military, most in at least mid-range command positions. You also have 5 informants, one in the Hippodrome, one in the Magnaura, one in the Varangian Guard, one among the Senators, and the final is in the Imperial treasury. Another part, the torn part, was to indicate how to contact me...which you did. The last part deals with Symeons attempt to subvert my attempt to form House Korakas, which he managed extremely well. As to the last part, it is merely a suggestion to put one of your own men inside the House to help curtail the Organization from influencing policy in the Empire."

Aleksander stares right back at Aleksios with his piercing blue eyes. "If you want information on the Patriarch though, lets make a deal. My father always told me that if your good at something, never do it for free."

The Basileus returned the younger man's gaze.

"I doubt patriotism would be enough. . .what about vengeance against those who have wronged you? The men who have hunted you. If the Patriarch goes down, so will those who propped him up. Symeon and his cohorts will be the hunted ones then.

"What else could I grant you?"

Aleksander breaks into laughter. "You seem to think I am a rather simple man. I want a future for my brother and his family, I want a secure future for my forming House, and the Caesar off the throne or at least well enough opposed, not "vengeance"...I've had my fill of "vengeance" to last me a life time. Such an offer is quite hollow, both idealistically and realistically."

Aleksios's eyes narrowed, "Your House? I had an inkling Iakovos was trying to form one, but is he just a proxy?"

His voice become quiet, "And why do you wish that my son not inherit the Throne?"

Aleksander chuckled. "Iakovos is to devoted to Makedonios to even think of such things, and he is to attached to Adana to leave the Order. It was I, upon the suggestion of Methodios, that formed House Korakas. I have been responsible for all it's dealings, I am the one who met with the senators as Nomikos to seal what deals were needed. I formed the House, based on the same principles I had hoped for in the Organization."

"As to your son, its really simple, do you want a full-scale rebellion on your hands? Your sons domestic policies are, how should I say it? Antagonistic? Entropic? Not received well? Symeon is currently using your son Ioannis as his platform to recruit Organization members and gather support. If Ioannis assumes power, one wonders what power Symeon will gain as well. Almost anyone else, especially someone like Makedonios or Kalameteros, would simply rip the power and proverbial rug out from under Symeon."

Aleksios's face darkened.

"Ioannis is my son, even if I wanted someone else to inherit, it would be an invitation to Civil War. Primogeniture may not be as strong of a tradition as in the West, but it is recognised."

The Basileus shook his head, "I am amazed you would speak treason to me so openly. However, that is in the future, I believe we could help each other if we focused on the present. Symeon and the Patriarch need to be removed. I need evidence so I can finally rid myself of that troublesome Priest. What can you provide and what is the price?"

Alexander returns the stare. "I stated my price. I do not need the Caesar removed, only checked, if anything I do for you is to have any meaning. I made my House specifically to do so, with the basis of allying to whatever House opposed the Caesar if he grew to willful and alienated the Senators. Right now, that is what he has done, and if they people, the nobles, are given an alternative, such as the Patriarch, when there is no other way, they will take the Patriarch, inviting civil war as Symeon has planned!"

Aleksander breathes deeply to calm himself. "Please, your majesty, I only want whats best for the Empire. If the nobles even have the illusion that the Caesar is in check, they will not side with the Patriarch, and the threat to the Empire will be nipped, at least for now."

Aleksios turned away and took a few paces back towards Harald. Over his shoulder, he spoke in a constricted whisper, "Besides these generalities you mentioned, what do you want specifically? And what can you offer in return?"

Aleksander sighed resignedly. "I can offer information on what the Patriarchs and Symeons plans are, how they intend to implement them, how to take them both with minimal loss, how to round up the very last Organization members...I can even offer the very words each spoke..."

Aleksander pulled out the a tube which contained several scrolls and documents. "I want to insure the survivability of the Empire, I want my brother to have the life I could not share with him or give him, I want Aegyptus, Illyria, and Thrakia for my House...and I want my pain to end."

Aleksios glanced down at the tube and then back up, "I can offer you an Imperial Pardon for whatever you have done, however none of those territories are mine to give, unfortunately. I could promise not to interfere if oaths are broken, but I can't vouch for how the existing Houses will react to such a transformation."

Aleksander's grip loosens as his eyes grow downcast. "What good would a pardon do a man like me? I am hated, scorned, and derided by all Imperial citizens. A pardon would mean nothing...I have lost whatever good I created on promises from a man I trusted. All I want is to create a House that will bring balance to the Empire...and I intended it to be imprinted on their minds when they had to care for both ends of the Empire for their well being...now, it is almost gone...Kosmas is dead, the Patriarch is trying to force Hypatios upon us, we may lose Alexandria to the bloated House of Asteri, the Order scorns us because we want Cairo to cement our domain...I am a broken man Aleksios, and how I have longed for Death, but have refused it because my duty to fix my wrongs has kept me."

Aleksios stepped forward again, "What can I say? I cannot assuage your pain or turn back time. I need your help with the Patriarch, what do you want from me?"

Aleksander seems to loose focus, but then he looks up at Aleksios with a fire in his eyes. "Do something for the children of my brother...keep them safe, give them a future. That's all I ask really...is to repay my brother for what I have put him through." Aleksander hands Aleksios the scroll, but holds onto it tightly. "Do what you will with me...but do everything you can for my brother and his children. He deserves it." Aleksander loosens his grip on the scroll.

Aleksios took the scroll, "I swear upon my soul that I will protect them. Once I am gone, that duty will fall to Apionnas Vringas. If it is possible, I will pass it as well to one of my sons. . ."

A pained look crossed his face.

". . .Though I'm not sure if Ioannis will listen, perhaps Andronikos or Isaakios will. Is that satisfactory?"

Aleksander smiled cheerfully and his voice was humorous. "Please, unless the Caesar changes his attitude, don't ask him...it is acceptable." Aleksander takes a moment to look up through the grating before looking back at Aleksios. "I have spent most of my life in darkness, first as a Turkish slave, then as a rogue. I think it's finally time I stepped back into the light...and hope there is something there for me."

The Basileus nodded a bit grimly, "The past is unchangeable, the future is. . .uncertain, all we can do is to do our best now and hope it is enough. Thank you Aleksander, I hope you can find a measure of Grace."

Aleksander simply nodded. You do not mind if I simply make my presence known among the senators, do you?"

Aleksios replied, "As you wish, but don't get knifed by anyone. I may need your testimony to implicate the Patriarch. You brother is on the mend, you might want to visit him. Good day, Aleksander."

He turned, and flanked by Harald, slowly made his way back to the surface.


Aleksios's return to the Magnaura.