A visibly shaking and distraught scribe hands the Basileus an updated list of legislation and then collapses. Aleksios reviews the list and speaks.

Hmmm, quite a long one, I think I will second CA 3.1.

The scribe moans in his stupor.

I'm sure that since the Patriarch saw fit to call this Crusade without consulting me or the Senate, he will be funding it with his own money. I am loath to support an enterprise that was not presented to the Senate for review or approval before it was introduced.

The Basileus sighs.

Not to mention the the possible repercussions of dividing our efforts even further and creating another enemy in the Muslim world. Still, it will be up to the Senate to determine how much support the Crusade will receive.

Aleksios pauses and speaks again.

Having reviewed the positions of the two candidates and the likely situation they will be facing during the next term, I have decided to endorse Caesar Ioannis for the position. Piety must be balanced with practicality, and duty to the Church with duty to the Empire, and, with all due respect to Savvas ek Militiou, I feel Ioannis is the best man to achieve that balance.