The Duke of Corinth comes to the chamber and takes his seat it has been some time since he has been here. He now looks more scholarly then a military general with his years of self study. He reads some documents and talks with his scribe. He addresses the senate..

Fellow Romans I have received the news of the Jihad directed towards our great city. I have come to defend her. I will not tolerate such action against and will use all my resources to her defence.

To quote our Patriarch “war with religious implications is to be taken quite seriously, for its combatants are always more motivated. As such, this is why I fear the called jihad more than any political incursion into Byzantine territory.”

This is a concern but the situation is not grave with proper planning and execution we should be able to stop this incursion. We must remember our men are sailing for their lands and this could significantly hamper their resources for a Jihad. The only concern is other nations joining their cause. The Seljuk Sultanate has already tasted our blade and any other nation wishing to join must travel a great distance to get here. It is important to keep our neighbours to the west pacified and not try to interfere or take advantage of the situation. We must be aware of our resources in the treasury but now is the time to put our agendas aside and concentrate on total war aginst the Calipahte with our Crusaders and Defenders.

Let us work together and arrange for the defence of our city. It is time to mobilize an army the Defenders of Constantinople and put this Jihad to rest.