The Magnaura

[Privateerkev]

Mercenaries cost money. Far more money than they are worth. They should be used sparingly, if at all. One of the reasons our economy was in such bad shape is because the Caesar had recruited a massive amount of mercenaries for his House. In the interests of getting on a sound financial footing, I have been targeting mercenary units for disbandment.

Antypatos Pavlos however has insisted that he keep his mercenaries until he deems them not needed. He claims that Dyarbakir is so strategically important, that it must be moved on immediately. I fail to see the dire strategic need but I don't mind if he moves on Dyarbakir, as long as he does it with a cheaper recruited army.

Once he disbands those mercenaries, I will recruit him a proper cheaper army. Until he disbands them, he is dragging on our economy. Those that drag on our economy will be the last to benefit from it. As for his "deal," it does not go far enough. All of his mercs need to go, not just a few.

As for the Armenian Cavalry he gave to Kantakouzinos, I have deemed that action illegal and have "vetoed" it. You can not claim 2+ separate "stacks" as part of your army. Otherwise, every person who has an army can claim 20 different one-unit stacks all over the Empire. It would be chaos...

The Armenian Cavalry with Kantakouzinos are under my direct control and they will not be moved by anyone. Failure to comply will mean a violation of the "rules."

[deguerra]

Ioannis rises again

I believe I have not yet formally announced the recapture of Caesarea. The city was retaken for the Empire this year, with substantial losses inflicted on the Imperial Army capturing it. I take full responsibility for those losses. The city, itself, fortunately was occupied without further bloodshed.

Formal control was transferred to Strator Laskaris, who chose to rename the city Markianopol. I need not restate my approval of his decision.

[Kagemusha]

"There is nothing in Megas actions that surprises me. At least now he can climb down from his high horse and stop preaching to us others since his political speeches and actions are two entirely different things. My domain, Yerevan actually has damaged walls, which makes it very hard to even protect with normal garrison in its current state and he chooses not to repair those walls, while Pavlos Chrysovergos has been disbanding large amounts of mercenaries. This just clearly shows what kind of a man Megas is.

About the sack of Alexandria. There is a law, which i have to say i did not support but there is a law nonetheless and braking the law should be punished. Since Tagaris does not have an feudal lord, i think Emperor should punish him with a appropriate punishment."

[Privateerkev]

Not only is your House insisting on dragging the economy down, but the Caesar actually broke the rules last year when he moved a unit of Armenian Cavalry that I had "seized." Units I seize as Megas are mine to then move or disband as I see fit. Moving those units challenges the powers of my office. (OOC: And it actually breaks the "rules.")

If your House is going to insist on breaking the law and dragging our economy down the gutter, then you will be the last ones to benefit from the growing economy.

If I find that the Armenian Cavalry with you has been moved, I will again refuse to build anything for your House this year. (OOC: If we are not going to provide OOC consequences for "rule breaking," then by-golly, I will provide IC consequences! )

[Ibn-Khaldun]

And what would be the appropriate punishment? Saying something like: "Bad boy, Tagaris! Bad , bad, bad boy indeed!" Would that be it? I suggest we go further. Exile him or take away his lands for some years?! We do have those islands between Greece and Anatolia that are not being used. Like I suggested when the 'Iconium incident' happened we should start exiling all those who break the law to those islands until the end of the current Megas term!

[TinCow]

OOC: Nothing to see here.

[Kagemusha]

"You and your rules. It is not any rules why i criticize your actions. By leaving the walls of Armenia damged, you are putting the lives of the people in danger, while Turks are roaming all over the area. If those walls are damaged and the town falls to some Turkish army.The blood of the victims stains your hands."

[Privateerkev]

The Turks seem quite busy rushing Constantinople. It seems you and your city are quite safe from all of the real fighting.

[Kagemusha]

"And you think all the military power of Turks is in that one pitiful army marching to Constantinopol? Im wondering with all that man power in the Capital, what serious threat that even creates? There are Turkish settlements to West,East,North and South from the Komnenodoukai domains and our military resources there are lot smaller, while you would not be pleased until rest of our armies would be bunch of peasants, but like i said before, this does not surprise me at all."

[deguerra]

With all due respect, Ioannis, and I do understand your position in this matter, you cannot truly be telling me that because House Komnenodoukai fought aggressively during the Caesar's term, surely for the good of the Empire, but equally at its own benefit, we now need to sink all our resources into that region. Perhaps you expanded a bit too rapidly, that is not for me to judge. But the Megas must get the economy in line, and in that he has my support.

[Kagemusha]

Ioannis turns towards Kalamateros and replies.

"I understand and i would not even dream that our settlements would be prioritized in any way. What i am complaining about is that Megas being stubborn is putting the civilian population of Yerevan in harms way."

[Privateerkev]

The civilians in Yerevan are not in harms way, nor would I put them there. I fear members of your House have always embellished the Turkish threat to justify the massive expenditures you guys cause.

I'll see about repairing those structures this year. Since that will take no time, I can also get a proper building started if the economy permits. Do you have something in mind that would help the people of Yerevan or can I use my own judgment?

[Kagemusha]

"I am completely satisfied if Yerevan´s walls are repaired and if it would have a even minimal garrison, so my Lord can march out from there. The small funds of the treasury can be used somewhere else. See i am not asking for much."

[Ituralde]

You must have access to some quite astonishing sources. At this point no one can know how many people guard the Castle of Dyarbakir, yet you claim to know the exact extent of the thread. I must say this puzzles me.

And to your earlier comments. Anybody can see in my Orders that I don't want to hold on to the mercenaries. I only want to make sure that I get adequate replacements for them. Replacements that are far cheaper! I don't think that's an unreasonable command and I thank you for granting me this in your last letter!

Pavlos bows formally

[Privateerkev]

I had no problem with recruiting cheaper replacements. It is the fact that you attempted to usurp my authority by moving a unit that was "seized" by the Office of the Megas that bothered me. Especially since the leader of your House just did that very thing last year. It's seems even when he is not Megas, the Caesaer is capable of breaking the law...

Lawbreaking will not be tolerated during my term. Any person who violates the "rules" will feel swift justice.

[Warmaster Horus]

So what of the sacking of Alexandria? I do not specially wish for Tagaris, my lord, to be punished, but if his behaviour is found lacking honor-wise, then I will not be his vassal any more.
I believe the murdering of innocents is more important than what has been discussed in the past few hours.

[Ituralde]

I did not attempt any such thing! That Unit that you now so convienently seized was part of the garrison of Sinop, which I had every single right to use.

I have consulted with my clerks and I see now that your interpretation is correct. I had just hoped to be able to lend assistance to Ioannis Kantakouzinos. As Megas of course you don't have to agree with me.

[Privateerkev]

When that unit was part of the garrison of Sinop, it was under your control and I did not touch it. When it moved out of the settlement that year, it was still under your control for that year, and I did not touch it. But once it starts a year out in the field, it is under my control unless it is in an army.

As for Methodios, I have made my stance clear on this. I totally and completely denounce what he has done and wish for him to be punished. As Megas, I will give him what is needed to manage and defend his settlement but no "luxaries." When the Senate can figure out a ruling, I will carry it out.

[Ituralde]

I never questioned this.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Can I make a proposal that once the Crusade is over Methodios will loose his settlements and shall be banished to one of the Islands between Greece and Anatolia until the end of Makedonios' term as Megas. I suggest the island that has watchtower on it. It is time to start taking serious all of our laws.

[Privateerkev]

Hypatios exterminated two settlements and he didn't lose his province. Lets make sure the punishment fits the crime.

[Ferret]

Yes but I lost my title, my House and my friends, Methodios has none of those to lose.

[deguerra]

Might I be so forward as to point out that there is a Turkish army just outside the capital of the Roman Empire. Perhaps someone would be good enough to lead the Army in the capital out to meet the foe before we suffer from the disgrace of having Konstantinopolis besieged?

[Ramses II CP]

Yet another letter from Vissarionas ek Lesvou is read into the record. A somewhat less excitable scribe is chosen this time, and the oldster has obviously read the contents ahead of time and found them unremarkable, at least compared to the previous ones.

The sack of Alexandria is a sad statement on the willingness of even those sworn to the cross to commit atrocities. I sympathize with Methodios on the loss of Kosmas, our fellow Crusader, but I cannot find blame for his death in the innocent civilians, now much reduced, of the formerly Fatamid city. I must concur with the suggestion which has already been put forward, let the Emperor propose his punishment and this body ratify it. In the future perhaps such edicts could be proposed with a course of action for the violation already incorporated?

I am also highly amused to find members of the Caesar's personal slave contingent, excuse me, feudal chain, protesting that they deserve fair treatment. Their lord never believed in providing such for others and no man among them spoke against it, though it does our Megas credit that he still provides absolute fairness for them whether they can comprehend it or not.

Nor am I shocked to find that the Turkish crusade which our valiant and exceptionally well equipped Caesar allowed to stroll by utterly unmolested with the intent of exterminating our capital has, at last, made it's way nearly to the walls. I would suggest that the Caesar take those carefully hoarded resources he spent years robbing from the rest of the Empire and see off the jihad army, but he has somehow managed to spare himself any possibility of such dangerous work by being entirely absent from the scene of a potential threat to Constantinople. Let's have a round of applause to congratulate him!

I will second the lord of Asteri's call for someone to step up and deny the Turks the pleasure of laying siege. May God grant that noble personage victory!

And God save the Emperor, noblemen, and may he reign forever!

Vissarionas ek Lesvou

[AussieGiant]

A Saracen looking officers approaches the Magnaura doors, the Varangian Guard's immediately block his path readying weapons. The figure removes his helmet and raises an inquiring brow at the much larger men.

A few moments is all that is needed to admit Apionnas into the Chamber.

He moves with steady and deliberate movements. The reason for this is clearly due to a great deal of pain that accompanies everything he does. He takes a seat and scan's through some papers.

Standing he address the Chamber in a clear and unwavering voice.

I certainly can not say I am surprised at the actions that were taken in Alexandria. I warned of taking a moral high ground against the previous Caliph's actions against Christian's in the city of Cairo.

Holy wars are an exercise in hypocrisy and religious fervour.

With that in mind we have of course done exactly that which prompted our own clergy into calling for the current crusade.

We can expect the cycle to continue my lords. Feigning shock and outrage will make not one ounce of difference to the agenda that is running in the background.

[_Tristan_]

Fellow Senators,

As I said, I am fully aware that I committed a grave crime against our laws but unlike so many others (with looks for the Caesar and Machonios), you will find me willing to atone for it. A fault confessed is half redressed.

This is why I'll expect leniency. Especially when some who exterminated two settlements got nothing more than a slap on the wrist, while others who repetedly violated our sacrosanct "rules" didn't even get a reprimand.

I do not regret what I did, remorse is for the weak. I will live the rest of my life with the guilt of what happened in Alexandria on my shoulders.

And Apionnas, would you be a little more clear about this hidden agenda ?

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis gets up and looks sternly at Methodios.

I suppose because you admit to doing wrong then that reduces your penalty? It was a coldly calculated decision of yours to break the law, and you have no expressed remorse. If anything, you should be punished more severely for insincerity.

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas turns towards Methodios and raises an eyebrow.

You seem fair from sincere in your atonement for wilful and gratuitous slaughter. The reports I received while in the region did not indicate it accidentally happened.

Comparing yourself to other is an exercise in playground mental gymnastics. I personally am not interested in what others did, rather in what you did in authorising the killing of thousands of Muslims.

It seems you have come to terms with this and sleep quite soundly at night. A trait that will hold you in good stead for the future I'm sure.

As for hidden agenda's, revealing them has only limited benefits. Understanding them and working with them in mind is far more effective in my view.

Turning to the chamber as a whole he continues is a slightly ironic tone.

I look forward to the next slaughter in this holiest of wars my Lords. We are just at the beginning of it.

[_Tristan_]

Ioannis gets up and looks sternly at Methodios.

It was a coldly calculated decision of yours to break the law, and you have no expressed remorse.

I only followed your example, My Lord...

If anything, you should be punished more severely for insincerity.

I hope to be punished as severely as you were...

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas shakes his head in resignation at the exchange.