The Magnaura

[Dafuge]

I also apologize fully to everyone who witnessed my actions in the Senate. I got ahead of myself with anger and let a fool get to me. I am ashamed that he did.

[Andres]

Savvas enters the Magnaura, his armor full of dust, an exhausted look on his face. He takes of his helmet, grabs a goblet, pours it full with wine and drinks.

"4 horses! 4 horses died to get me here as fast as possible! And what do I find? A bunch of bickering Senators who seem to be eager to start a civil war? Stop this madness!"

Savvas looks around and yells: "STOP IT! What do you want? The end of our Empire?"

Savvas inhales and speaks a bit softer.

"Hypatios exterminated a whole city and violated a recently voted Edict. This is a serious matter. But... Hypatios, how despicable his actions may be, is still a Senator of this Magnaura and he did his despicable act during a war."

Savvas looks around.

"I have seen war and it isn't pretty. I despise Hypatios' acts. A true Roman stays civilised, even in times of war. But, I can understand that some people cannot deal with the pressure. This is not a justification of his acts, but, we should hear Hypatios' version of the facts.

I suggest the Basileus orders him to come to Constantinople immediately. We need to hear Hypatios and as a Senator, he should be able to defend his case. Hypatios should be jailed, in the best possible circumstances of course, until the Basileus, assisted by the Magnaura if he desires it so, can judge him.

But allow me to insist on serenity in this matter.

Hypatios' act was barbaric, but that doesn't mean we have to act as barbarians as well. We shouldn't threat each other and challenge each other to meet on the field of battle! We are all Romans! We are brothers!

Anyone who even dares to insinuate fighting another Senator, should seriously calm down. Senators fighting each other is civil war. Civil war, mylords, would not only bring us disaster, but he who starts it, will forever be known as a traitor!

We are all Romans, gentlemen and our Empire is in peril! Crusades are coming our way! The Seljuks are not yet defeated and a significant number of our finest Generals will go on a Holy Crusade!

I repeat: I ask for serenity.

Hypatios should be put on trial. Let the Basileus, assisted by the Magnaura if he desires, judge over Hypatios' actions and decide over a fitting punishment.

That, dear Senators is the course of action that we, civilised men, should need to follow.

Savvas stands up again.

I would love to continue the debates with you, good sirs, but unfortunately, I have to get back to my troops now. Please, calm down, take a goblet of wine and think before you speak.

Please gentlemen, I consider you all as brothers. One our brothers has made a terrible mistake and needs to be judged, but that doesn't mean that Romans should start killing Romans. That would lead to our downfall and the end of the Roman Empire.

Savvas takes his helmet and hastily walks out the Magnaura. When he passes the Grandmaster's table, he stops and looks at Makedonios.

"Dear Grandmaster, allthough you have done much good since then and you are trying to redeem yourself, I have not forgotten what has happened in Antioch. I think that over the years, I have forgiven your actions, but that doesn't take away the fact that you are not very well placed to condemn Hypatios."

With a sad, disappointed look on his face, Savvas jumps on his horse outside the Magnaura and drives away.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios sighs and says quietly to know one.

Anyone who, equates being knocked unconscious and having his army decide for themselves to kill military aged men to, purposefully violating thousands of women, killing them, and then violating them again while their dead is well and truly an idiot...

OOC: It's Makedonios...

*edit*

Thanks!

[Kagemusha]

Scribe of Ioannis Kantakouzinos reads from a note.

"My Master has instructed me to say that since the underlings and master of Order of St. John keep insulting him verbally in the Senate even after he has offered to them honourable way to solve the issues between them and himself in combat, which they have declined, from now on he will address them as cowards here in Senate, which should not be seen as insult, since the mentioned members of said order declined to prove themselves while the senate was witnessing and still after that remain to insult my master verbally, while proven cowards themselves."

[Privateerkev]

Ah yes the brave Kantakouzinos has bravely sent a note.

How brave.

His bravery is noted.

But I am afraid that I am just so inimidated by the bravery of the absent Kantakouzinos, that I have decided not to act.

So, if he would like to come back in here and debate this rationally he is quite welcome. If he wants to skulk the streets of Constantinople and write threatening notes to bravely have read in his absence, he can do that as well.

[Kagemusha]

The scribe writes Makedonias words down and dispatches the note via courier.

[Kagemusha]

After a while Kantakouzinos returns.

"Dear Makedonias, have you changed your mind? I received a note that you are talking about bravery here while im absent. The issue is simple, you and your underlings continue insulting me here in Senate, while not any of you is not man enough to accept my challenge. This is not matter of debate. If you call people idiots or attack their person, you must be ready to face the consequences of such actions. You have failed in that and we all know what that makes you. Now even after you have proven yourself unable to do so, you still continue with such actions. Sounds it is you who are the all bark, no bite."

Ioannis nods his head slightly and sits down with amusing expression on his face.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios looks bored now.

If you can't take criticism, you shouldn't be in politics. I'm sorry your ego is so fragile. I have no desire to fight another noble but I will defend myself if you insist on attacking me.

But I do hope you find something better to do with your time other than find ways to rub your wounded pride.

[Kagemusha]

"Criticism is one thing Grandmaster, insults and physical attacks are another. A man of such a noble character as you should understand the difference between those two. I wonder how you would react for example if one of your men would be attacked here in Senate building. I guess we will see how Caesar Ioannis will react to it."

[Privateerkev]

Iakovos was chided for his actions and he apologized. If the Emperor or Caesar wish for him to pay a higher penance, they will say so and he will be expected to obey it.

Since I am responsible for him, I will apologize to you good sir for the actions of my vassal.

Makedonios stands up and walks across the chambers to Kantakouzinos.

I am sorry that one of my members struck you. It will not happen again.

Makedonios extends his hand.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios looks how Makedonios gives his hand to Kantakouzinos and says quietly

What a pushover!

[Kagemusha]

Kantakouzinos watches Makedonias, then Makedonias hand and then Makedonias eyes. With a small smile on his face with sharp expression in his eyes he takes the hand of the grandmaster and shakes it, saying:

"For my part, apology accepted."

After Makedonias returns to his seat, Kantakouzinos leaves the Senate again.

[Andres]

Savvas enters the building and stands right in front of Makedonios, an angry look on his face.

Grandmaster, one of my bodyguards who was still in the building because nature called, heard you calling me an idiot.

Now, tell me Grandmaster, were you or were you not the commander in charge of the army that committed the well known attrocities in Antioch?

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios stands up and looks Savvas in the eye.

I was the commander and I was responsible. But I did not give the order to sack that place. What I did was terrible and I will answer to God for it later. But I did not order the army to sack Antioch.

So yes, if anyone dares to equate my situation with the horrible and despicable act that Hypatios ordered, then I will call him an idiot.

Do you have a problem with that?

The Grandmaster simply stands and stares, waiting for Savvas to respond.

[TheFlax]

Princess Anna rushes in the Magnaura in a state of disarray, her usually pristine clothing ruffled and marred by dirt, her face showing signs of deep fatigue and yet her eyes remained eerily intense.

Senators! Pardon my current state but this could not wait. I have just returned from Iconium after witnessing the horrors Hypatios Machonios has inflicted upon the population of this city. The streets were thick with the stench of death, bodies littered everywhere without concern. This was the hellish sight which greeted me as I entered the city.

I had hoped this was some sort of mistake, yet when I confronted the man who orchestrated this despicable atrocity, he assured me he was in control of the situation. When I told him of my wish to escort him before your esteemed presence so that you may judge his crime, he had my men detained and threatened me with a similar fate if I pushed the issue. In his meglomania he declared he was above the petty laws of this assembly, that he did not feel bound by the edicts which were voted not so long ago and that he had better to do than present himself before you.

Finally he revealed his true colors, working hand with a ruthless group who stoops to threatening children and aiding butchers in their bloody tasks. Some of you might have heard of this "Organization", well they were present at Iconium and at Machonios' side!

It is obvious that he holds no respect for you Senators, he cares little for the laws of the Empire and has quite possibly lost all sanity. Those of you waiting for his words before condemning him will wait for a long time, for he has no intention of stopping his bloody campaign for you. How long will you seat here and discuss of this in an academic fashion before you take action? How many dead will it take before any of you take action against this madman?

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios jumps up..

What is 'She' doing here!
This is not a place for women!
I ask you to leave or I will remove you from this place myself!
Princess or not you have no right to be here!

[Privateerkev]

Upon seeing the Princess run in, Makedonios turns from Savvas to listen to her. When she is done, he turns on Efstathios.

Stand down Strator! You will let her speak!

Turning to Anna, he speaks.

Your Highness, thank you for bringing this news to us.

Senators, the situation is clear. Hypatios willingly, and even gladly, butchered thousands of innocent people and disregarded our authority.

I call upon Senator Ampelas to break his oath of fealty to his vassal and for Hypatios's vassals to break with him. Then, I ask that House Asteri detain this madman and bring him here before us.

We must have justice!

If Hypatios is going hide like a coward, then we must bring him here!

And I know of the 'Organization' the Princess speaks of. They are a pathetic group of evil men and if they are working with Hypatios, then that bodes ill. This group has attacked the Princess, attacked me, and threatened the safety of her daughter. If Hypatios is working with such men, then that is just another thing he will have to answer for.

I dare say this is important enough to call upon the Emperor to call an Emergency Session! We must immediatly pass laws bringing Hypatios to justice now! Despite Ampelas's assertions, this can not wait!

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios sits and shakes his head...

Womens in the Magnaura.. what next.. man on the moon?!

[TheFlax]

Anna glares at Efstathios.

I know my place Senator, but my testimony could not wait a formal proceeding. I remain for the sole purpose of answering any questions this assembly may have. When I will not be needed anymore, I will leave.

[Zim]

Kosmas looked troubled at Anna's appearance. What did that monster do? He whispers to one of his servants who immediately leaves the room, then stands and walks to within a few feet of Anna.

"Princess, I have a few questions. We've hearad much of the relative 'innocence' of killing enemies. Did you see any evidence that Christians had ben killed, or churches looted? Did you get an idea of the scale of the massacre? What happened to your guard and retinue? And most importantly," Kosmas leans forward and looks Anna in the eyes before continuing, lowering his voice. "Are you ok?"

[TheFlax]

Anna nods slightly to Kosmas before taking voice.

I cannot say I have walked the whole of the city, but what I did witness was indiscriminate killing. It is hard to discern the faith of a dead man, but the way this mass-murder was orchestrated there is little doubt Christians were also victim of Hypatios Machonios' folly. Perhaps the churches were not looted, but the homes were invaded, place of commerce pillaged and mangled bodies thrown in the streets without concern or care. Verily, the streets ran red with blood and the air was thick with death. The butcher of Iconium himself was covered in the blood of innocents when he greeted me, lounging in the throne of the now dead Sultan of our enemies!

In the end, my men were released and we were escorted out of the city safely, but this those not in anyway absolve Hypatios Machonios of the atrocities he committed!

[ULC]

Iakovos listens to Anna with increasing disgust. He stand sharply, his body trembling slightly from raw anger.

"Hypatios has committed murder on a grand scale, mercilessly killing 6000 innocent people. He has committed an atrocity, broke Imperial Law, and now refuses to be judged, taking a whole army with him and possibly holding the Head of House Asteri prisoner, and what do we do? Nothing! We debate, back and forth, if he is even guilty. How can you debate that anymore?! How can you in good conscience sit here and do NOTHING! The Princess is the only one, the only ONE, to have so far taken the courage to try and bring this man to justice, and I for one am ashamed! Of myself, of all of us!"

"I ask that this august body grant me a small army, to go and retrieve Hypatios Machonios from Iconium, forcibly if necessary, and I ask any Senators with half the bravery of the Princess to join me in doing so! Hypatios needs to be brought to justice! So I ask now, who will ride with me?!"

[Andres]

Savvas looks at Makedonios.

Guess our little dispute will have to wait...

He then looks at Anna.

It seems we have a witness of Hypatios' actions. A witness whose integrity is above all doubt, I might add.

I volunteer to do whatever the Basileus orders to solve this mess.

Savvas sits down and waits.

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos enters Magnaura, and after moving to the Marshall's table quickly begins reading the transcript of the previous events.

Senators, the situation is clear. We have a man in charge of a large army who enjoys killing for it's own sake. This is barbarism of the highest order. What's more, Iconium was a city with a substantial population of True Believers, some fourty-five for every one hundred citzens. Senator Machonios has violated the will of the Senate with his vile actions, and what's worse he has commited a vile affront to the Lord with his vast slaughter.

It is essential to the preservation of the Empire's authority the Senator be brought to justice, and made to answer for his crimes.

[Dafuge]

I don't know about leading an army but I will do anything that is of help of bringing Hypatios to justice.

[OverKnight]

Varangians in full armor march into the Senate led by the Basileus. His bodyguard circles the Magnaura keeping a watchful eye out as the Basileus strides to the center of the room. Aleksios looks old and tired, but as he speaks, an iron resolve can be heard in his voice.

Enough! Peace, Senators, peace!

The next man who threatens violence in this chamber, either directly or by proxy, will be expelled.

I will have civility in this Chamber. This is the Magnaura, not the Hippodrome. If you wish to roll around in the dust and curse each other, do it there.

I hereby summon Hypatios Machonos to the Magnaura to present his side of what occurred at Iconium. If he does not, or sends a clerk to do his talking, I will summon an Emergency Session and propose legislation to bring him here in chains.

Until I hear the full story, no further action will be taken. We all have other matters to attend to, I strongly suggest we do so.

The Basileus looks at Efstathios Laskaris and quietly speaks again.

Senator, please do not tell my daughter where she can or cannot go. Do not speak to the Dean of our newly established University in such a manner.

The Basileus casts a challenging look around the chamber.

I assume no one has an objection to the appointment? Good.

[Dafuge]

I think it is a well chosen and very well thought out decision. To be totally honest I didn't see it coming but now I look at it again it is very clever, especially after all the commotion that Ceaser might get the position.

[BananaBob]

Nathanail, who has stayed silent during this ordeal, is finally having colour return to his face. After nodding as the Basileus speaks, he rests his head in his hands and sighs.

[00jebus]

*Lisas shows up, looking dirty and slightly revolted, he takes up his seat and looks around at the komnenodoukai staff, he angrily whispers at them*

I thought he sacked it?
who the hell was in charge of fact checking last week?

*A few senetors notice and look at him*

Umm, yes, as always, I think we should all head the words of the emperor, and not pass judgement before all the facts are in, especally those of us who havn't been to Iconium

[Dafuge]

Were you not informed of what happened at Iconium Lisas, or has someone failed to deliever the right message?

Stavros raises his eyebrows a little as he talks.