Stories Thread

[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."