Stories Thread

[KnightnDay]

A messenger entered the tent of young Ammonathas.

Lord Kalameteros, a message from the province of Scupi.

Ammonathas was pleased to hear some news. I trust the province now under the governorship of our Megas Logothetes fares well.

Ammonathas read the small, hastily written document and suddenly looked troubled. He was this evening having his usual meal with Aleksios Bartosis, commander of the guard.

Ill news, Aleksios. It would seem that once again Markos ek Sinopis finds himself under difficult circumstances. He and his small band was last seen in the area east of Scupi where it has also been reported that rebel Eustace of Doncaster with over three hundred companions, rapidly approaches.

Aleksios seemed unconcerned. Does it matter much my lord? Ek Sinopis was a self-proclaimed rebel. Perhaps this would be a fitting end to his life, death at the hands of yet another rebel.

His lord was of a different opinion. The war is over my friend, and Markos is once again our countryman. And forget not that this man once defended Byzantine honor in battle. No, I cannot abandon him to his fate, and Scupi too for that matter. The small garrison there could not likely hold out and no reinforcements can be raised in time.

Ammonathas quickly looked at the map of the region posted in his tent.

Hmmm. I do not believe the soldiers traveling on foot would arrive in time to engage in battle… We travel light. Alert our cavalry, we move north at once. Those on foot will follow behind and make the best speed as they can.

In the hours that followed, the horsemen under Ammonathas quickly broke camp and departed, while the infantry and bowmen prepared themselves for the march.

A week later, the battle was fought outside Scupi. Eustace of Doncaster lay dead with his army and Kalameteros had won his first fight.

Overlooking the site, Ammonathas and Aleksios spoke once more.

Congratulations my lord, on your first victory.

Thank you Aleksios, but it has not come without cost. And we are now a farther distance from Constantinople where a much greater battle may yet loom. Well, we shall have to trust to providence that the city will be kept safe. And the Megas has other allies in the vicinity with no shortage of troops.

That may well be my lord, but tell me truly, do you think this was worth the price?

Ammonathas replied. This was done to protect the people of a threatened province and preserve our honor by quite possibly saving the life of a man who faithfully served the empire. If I were to have this choice a hundred times over, each time it would be the same. Now let us visit our wounded companions and honor our dead. They have sacrificed much more than we this day.

Scarcely had they proceeded a hundred yards, before yet another messenger had news for young Kalameteros.

My lord, I beg to inform you of the death of Markos Ek Sinopis. The circumstances of his end are unknown at this time.

Aleksios turned to his master. So, my lord, was this still worth the price?

Ammonathas hesitated briefly as he searched for an answer. I believe it to be. Regardless of the end, we acted in the only way that I know how. At least Scupi is safe. For the moment we must take comfort of that fact. Let us proceed.