Near the coast of Anatolia, 1114
A large rowboat approaches Efstathios' flagship. On the boat are 10 men, all carrying short swords. A shortish man with brown hair and eyes stands and shouts at your quarterdeck.
"LASKARIS!!! Show yourself!"
Efstathios looks at the rowboat and seeing the armed men inside signals his crusaders who take their weapons and take their positions to defend the ship if it is necessary.
After that he says calmly..
"I am here. What is the purpose of this 'visit'?" he asks.
"I've came to inform you that we caught the rat who has been sabotaging us. After some, 'aggressive interrogation' he squealed out the name of his master."
At Solomon's signal a body, tightly wrapped in cloth was revealed.
"I thought you would be interested to see the execution of your man"
Two of Solomons men then dump the body into the sea and watch it sink. If only Efstathios would know that there were only some rocks and straws in it.
"What an interesting entertainment. I suppose this is the way you like to entertain your men.
Oh well.. This happens if you interact with the men like Monomachos."
Saying that he stayed calm. Not one muscle moved in his face when he saw that poor man falling into the deep water.
Solomon glares at Laskaris
"Do not insult my friend. Your quarrel is with me and me alone. Not my friends, not my men, just me. Your neck would already be removed from your body for the sea charts fiasco if Makedonios hadn't ordered me to stay my hand. Now however, the slipknot your assassin used endangered not only me but every man who sails with me. I have a duty to see them safely to Aegyptus. If you ever endanger my men again I promise that I will drink from your skull"
"Do not give promises that you can't keep!" says Efstathios with annoyed voice.
Signaling couple of sailors he says..
"Also.. As long as I remember I have never used an assassin. Perhaps a spies but never assassins!" he smiles while saying that.
Looks at the sailors he nods and the men crab crossbows and point them to Annios.
Laughing
"By all means Laskaris, strike me down here and now. Show the empire what kind of man you really are.
You may call your agents whatever you wish, but to me a man who attempts murder for an employer is an assassin. Whether he attacks with a knife or slipknots matters little to me."
"Oh.. you misunderstood my attentions. I do not want to kill you. My men are protecting you from .. umm .. dangerous flying fish... They are really mean in these parts of the world! Although it would be a sad moment if one of those arrows miss the target and hit you!"
Efstathios smiles fiendishly...
"And I think that Empire knows what kind of man I am. A peaceful man. A smart man. Smart enough not to go threaten someone with just 10 men to support me!"
"Dear Laskaris, you misunderstand my intentions. We are only armed to protect ourselves from those dangerous flying fish you speak of. Of course, it would be a shame if one of my men missed and hit you!
Solomon's men grab crossbows lying on the floor of the boat and raise them in Laskaris' direction.
Solomon smiles fiendishly back at Laskaris
"Hmm.. Looks like it's time for tea. You can stay here and 'hunt' those 'flying fish' if you like. But I have to say that my men aren't that accurate and they probably miss the fish and hit 'something' bigger instead."
Saying that Laskaris turns and walks towards the captains room.
"Just remember my promise, Laskaris..."
Solomon's boat rows away
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