The Magnaura

[Andres]

Dear Basileus,
Dear Caesar,
Dear Senators,


As you all know, I am not a man for religious fanaticism.

What is happening in Cairo as we speak cannot go unnoticed.

We are Romans and therefore, it is our moral duty to bring civilisation into the known world. Killing Christians because of their belief, is not civilised, to say the least, and thus cannot be allowed as long as there is a Byzantine Empire! This fanatic nutjob of a Caliph needs to be punished!

Savvas inhales after his outburst.

Talking about religious fanaticism, there's also the matter of the crusades called by the Catholic Pope. In my humble opinion, the Megas Logothetes made the right decisions during his term.

Of course, most of us are not happy with crusaders wandering through our Empire.

Of course, the hostile behaviour of the Germans was outrageous.

But... our Empire couldn't afford a war on two different fronts during the mandate of Markianos Ampelas.

Thanks to Markianos, we now do have the means for a war on two fronts.

The recent events in Cairo however, oblige us to pick that region as our second front.

My esteemed colleagues, given the current situation, the Crusade on Cairo should be a priority.

Other priorities are the strenghtening of our Western and Northern frontiers to prevent the crusades on Jerusalem to take "a detour" through Constantinople and, of course the War against the Turks, who still haven't suffered enough for the disasters they caused to our Empire in the past.

There's also a practical reason for the importance of continuing the war against the Seljuks: our efforts for the Crusade and the strengthening of our frontiers will require florins. Alot of florins. Florins that can be acquired by sacking the cities of those damnable Turks.

Since both my lord and me have to take care of our own territories, the rather small House of Tagamata unfortunately cannot send one of its' members on the Crusade.

However, let it not be said that House Tagamata will neglect its' duties during this time of peril.

As Arthimos (protector of the Royal Family) in the House of Tagamata, I am willing to take care of our funds, our frontiers and to offer support on the war efforts of my fellow Senators during the Crusade.

I remind all of you that I am experienced both in battle as in politics and that my actions thus far have proven me to be a loyal servant of the Empire.

Most of you will probably remember that I left my own settlement, Arta, and took its' entire garrison with me to march to our Northern frontier the very moment I heard about the large rebel armies threatening our Empire.

Therefore, I hereby humbly ask the Magnaura to elect me as your new Megas Logothetes.

Savvas sits down.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

I second the Edict 3.1!!

[Andres]

Savvas looks amused.

I admire your enthusiasm, young Senator Efstathios Laskaris, but there's no need to yell. Some of us might be getting a bit older, but we surely aren't deaf.

Savvas smiles encouraging at his younger colleague.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios blushed and says..

"I was not yelling. I was .. just .. coughing my throat .. there was something in it .. Yes .. that was it!"

Efstathios blushed even more ..

[Ramses II CP]

Vissarionas has returned to the Senate floor in time to hear much of the debate which is ongoing. When Efstathios volunteers to join the Crusade Vissa's face breaks into an open smile.

Well met my good man, and pleasure to hear your vow! I will be sailing in as much haste as possible, but rest assured that I will be open to coordinating our actions.

As for Cairo, I would honestly have said during my time there that even the Caliph was a man of peace and tolerance, but something must have brought about a change. The Christian quarter of Cairo was thriving, and other than matters of political power there was no discrimination to speak of in the city. The Muslims hold firm a prohibition on alcohol which I found to improve the general conditions in the city, though there were certain over-looked exceptions.

The people of Cairo are friendly and prosperous, the streets are of excellent quality, and trade of every imaginable sort passes through there. If I were forced to live among infidels I know of no better place to do so than Cairo.

Though it is not needed, I will second edict 3.1 as well, in the spirit of the Crusade!

Vissarionas sits down at the Order's table, quietly contemplative.

[Dafuge]

Stavrar walks into the Senate floor, and hears murmerings of the Edict 1.3. He hears enogh of it to form a brief idea of what it is about. Hearing that fellow Order member have seconded he makes his decision.

I also will second Edict 1.3

I also will join the Crusaders and will sail to the Holy Lands.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios sighs..

If this is true, then I hope that the city will not have the same destiny as Antioch had after it was captured.

He looks towards the Order's table..

But that is another story.

Turning to Stavrar he says..

It is Edict 3.1 actually we are talking about.

Saying this Efstathios smiles..