1188, Dalmatian Coast
Gerasimos was a grizzled veteran, having fought many battles, and many wars, and for many Princes, Dukes, Counts, and Kings. He was used to dealing with stressful situations where his life was constantly in danger, and he had developed the correct reflexes for it. He was also an astute man of war, and knew how to handle almost all aspects of it. However, politician he was not.
"YOU DID WHAT!"
Right now however, Gerasimos was in a battle that, for the first time, he was at a loss of how to even fight.
Gerasimos cleared his throat. "Forgive me Lord Anargiros, I had decided to take affirmative action in this case. We are low on men, and so I supposed to acquire more. We can neither fight the Venetians, nor the armies of Arintheos and Ammonathas at the same time, nevermind the small garrisons on the way though th-"
Sergios grabbed the nearest object, Aleksandra's tea tray, and heaved it at the Veteran who deftly sidestepped it. "What in Heavens name made you think I was going to attack ANYONE! I asked we take Measures to secure Markos's safety, those where my orders! I did not ask you to abandon the fleet, and to march upon Andreas! He is Asteri! He is Kalameteros's son-in-law! How dare you!" Sergios picked up another object, a chair this time, and threw it.
Gerasimos caught it and gently set it back down as an enraged Sergios began to search for something else to throw. Still with an unflinching gaze, Gerasimos continued. "My Lord, We cannot spare any men to Markos without waking our position. Tactically speaking, it would be easier to acquire an army and hand it over to Markos fr-"
This time the whole desk, maps, pens, figures, and plans, came sailing at Gerasimos, who ducked as it flew over and nailed a page entering the room. Sergios was to enraged however, to notice. "Tactics do not trump Politics! Nor do they trump morality! Where in gods name is Demetrios! How could you Gerasimos! I am not some-" Sergios's had reached the boiling point, and unable to complete express his frustration, broke into a fit of screaming as he smashed the final wooden chair in the room against the ground.
Silence pervaded the room as Sergios stopped to catch his breath. Wiping the spit from his mouth, he turned to Gerasimos. "It is not to late, send an envoy to the-" Gerasimos stiffened before hastily replying.
"I have already sent an envoy...detailing the plans..."
Aleksandra hurried to see Sergios, having finally finished with preparing the nights meal for the officers. She was being escorted by Demetrios, who had gone on the trip with them but had stayed behind with the ships when Aleksandra and Sergios went to Jerusalem. Aleksandra stole a glance at Demetrios - his hair was dark like his mothers, his eyes ocean blue like his fathers. But his face was hard, his features like etched stone. Aleksandra knew the man to be a warrior - utterly devoted to the cause of his master, and utterly devoted to his art.
Demetrios noticed the glance. "Something wrong, my Lady?"
Aleksandra shook her head. "No...it's, just that...Demetrios, do you hate Sergios?"
Demetrios remained impassive as he spoke. "No Lady Aleksandra, I do not hate my cousin. I cannot blame him for his fathers sins, and he is not his father. It would be wrong of me to do so."
Aleksandra remained unconvinced, but before she could question Demetrios further, Gerasimos stumbled out of the command tent, with Sergios screaming from within. "GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT! DAMMIT TO ALL HELL!" Aleksandra and Demetrios exchanged glances with the disheveled Gerasimos as he brushed past them hurriedly. Crashing sounds could be heard from within as Sergios further ransacked the command tent.
Aleksandra hurried inside to find a broken Sergios beating on what remained of the desk. Hurrying to his side, Aleksandra quickly held him close to her, pulling Sergios in as he cried upon her shoulder.
"Hush now...Sergios, what could possibly be so terrible that you would-"
"He is going to die, Markos will die, and it will be my fualt...and we are damned, damned are we all..."
Aleksandra looked quizzically at Sergios. "Your not making sense my love, what ever do you mean?"
Sergios refused to look Aleksandra in the eye. "Gerasimos...sent an envoy to Constantinople, to announce his intentions, as if they were my own. Now, there is no hope...were are damned Aleksandra...I cannot reach Markos in time...and all of the Senate sees me as...a power hungry fool..."
Demetrios was quick. "My Lord, certainly I can-" Sergios waved him off. "No...it is to late. There is nothing I can do...I will not have any of you die with me...Aleksandra you must leave, go with Demetrios and Chara to-" Aleksandra placed her finger tips upon Sergios's lips. "Hush, I will hear no such thing that would take me away from you. Do not be foolish, I will never leave your side, not even death will separate us. There is hope, there is always hope...we will save Markos, we will prevail, and we will stay true to ourselves."
Sergios nodded as Aleksandra lifted him up, and with Demetrios, led him out of the destroyed command tent.
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