Constantinople, 1146

The Basileus was dying, Tiverios could see that as soon as he was summoned into the Imperial bedchamber. A wasting disease had taken Aleksios, and the once hale man was reduced to an invalid, yellow flesh stretched over frail bones. It was a disturbing sight, for Aleksios was the only ruler Tiverios had ever known. The Basileus had always been there, taking him into his service, promoting his career, and keeping a steady hand on the Throne. His death would bring forth a new, uncertain future, not only for Tiverios, but for the entire Empire.

Calming himself, the young Senator approarched the bed. Aleksios looked up, his gaze still searching and intelligent as ever despite the betrayal of his body. Even in illness, the Basileus was proped up by pillows and perusing papers.

"Ah, Tiverios," the Basileus said, his voice a whisper, "Please have a seat, there is much we have to discuss."

Bowing, Tiverios took a seat at the head of the bed. No doubt the Basileus had been seeing many people.

"You have served me well these past years. Yet I must ask a favor of you."

Tiverios nodded, "Anything your Majesty, I owe you my position, I am at your service."

It was true, Tiverios's father had died in one of the many campaigns to restore the Empire, though he did not remember him. A fatherless son from a minor family could not have expected much from life, but he had been raised in the capital by his mother. A pension had ensured a proper education and his mother had enough connections remaining at court to secure Tiverios a position. Somehow he had caught the eye of the Basileus, and for the past few years he had assumed much of the responsibility of administering Constantinople. He had even fought at the walls when the Basileus had destroyed the Moors.

Aleksios's reply broke his reverie, "Good, it is a delicate matter, when I am gone, I wish you to govern the capital."

Tiverios raised an eyebrow, "But your Majesty, the Caesar will expect to inherit Constantinople directly. He will be. . .disappointed, to put it mildly."

Aleksios waved his hand, "Yes, he will be, which is why it is a difficult thing to ask of you. You might suffer the ire of the new Basileus. Yet, I believe to be necessary."

Tiverios leaned in, "Why is that, my Lord?"

Aleksios sighed, "I have taken steps to ensure that Ioannis will have a smooth transition to the Throne. But once seated on it, I can guarantee nothing else. I will be dead, and I cannot control the future, much as I would like to. There still might be a civil war; By placing Constantinople outside the direct control of Ioannis, I hope to spare it from attack in such a case. Whatever else happens, I want the heart of the Empire preserved from internecine conflict."

The young Senator nodded, "Just so, but why me, your Majesty? There are others more experienced."

The gaze of the Basileus bored into him, "Why indeed? What do you think?"

Tiverios paused for a moment to think and then spoke, "I am familiar with the city. I have served you loyally. Most importantly, due to my youth and lack of status, I am unaligned with any of the factions at court. A more experienced or powerful man might already have divided loyalties, endangering the city in case of a civil war."

He left another possible reason unsaid.

Aleksios nodded, a trace of a smile on his face, "Very sharp of you, you'll need to be clever. By assigning you Constantinople I am giving you status and power. There is danger in that for you. You will have to tread carefully. I hope you have learned some of what I tried to teach you."

Tiverios grew thoughtful and drummed his fingers on the armrest of the chair.

"I have learned a great deal, even more so today. . .your Majesty."

The Basileus nodded and spoke weakly, "Good, you're dismissed. Send in Apionnas if you would."

Tiverios stood, bowed and made his way to the door where he paused for a moment. Glancing back at the bed, he almost asked another question of the Basileus, but instead he opened the door and strode out of the room.