The Magnaura

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas's chin sinks into his chest. With a rueful shake of the head he begins chuckling to himself.

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos stands a satisfied smile on his face.

I second Edict E2.1.

[Warmaster Horus]

I second Edict 2.1 also.

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos stands again, looking somewhat embarrased.

*Ahem* It has just ocurred to me that legislation proposed by the Basileus does not need to be seconded. My apologies to all, especially to Senator Manouelitis.

[Warmaster Horus]

Apologies accepted. I had myself just seen the mistake I made in seconding the legislation...

[OverKnight]

Aleksios speaks.

The sentiment behind seconding the legislation is appreciated even if it is not needed.

[Ramses II CP]

Vissa watches the proceedings with a wide eyed, uncomprehending stare. When the Patriarch turns on his own guards Vissarionas attempts to leap to his feet, but clumsily slams his hip into the Order's table and dumps himself back into his own chair. By the time he recovers his grace the matter is decided.

His gaze is still essentially blank, but his words leave no doubt as to the feeling that inspired them,

'Burn them out, root and branch, and leave none to further blacken our land! Let us pursue this poisonous vein where ever it may reach and purify the body of Orthodoxy and Empire once more!'

Turning to the Patriarch Vissa brings forth calmer words, though in that same cold, empty tone,

'Your Eminence if you should ever need aid in seeking an end to God's enemies you have but to ask and I will serve.'

[ULC]

Nikolaos seems lost as to the current events, and simply shrugs his shoulders knowing everything is under control. Such warm comfort is dispelled when Aleksander begins to laugh. Aleksander turns to his captors, and only shakes his head, speaking in almost mocking, pitying tones.

"Excuse me, but may I ask which of those guards is Symeon? Because from where I am bound and chained, I see three rather confused Patriarchal Guards. I knew Symeon personally, even if I wish I never had, and not a one of those men you now hold is Symeon. I don't know whom you have been speaking with your Eminence, but it seems Symeon anticipated this, especially after his test with Markianos. Out there, or maybe in fact within these very halls, Symeon still lives, freer then anyone of you, his name forever unknown, his path forever untraceable, his intent inscrutable, the extent to which he seeds corruption unimaginable, and his power unfathomable. Exile me, it matters not. I gave my information in the knowledge I would receive nothing more then scorn, nothing more then the hatred of those I sought to silently protect. I failed in my attempts to turn what I saw as evil and depravity into something worth while, and it consumed me, it consumed Ignatios, it consumed Narsis, it consumed Veronica, and it consumed my brother..."

Aleksander hangs his head at those last words, and a single tear escapes from him.

"So go on, in your singleminded attempt to kill what you can never even touch. All you have done is sent them into hiding...even now, most likely at the exchange of letter between the Patriarch and Symeon, hundreds die...hundreds who knew anything at all about the Organization...and you may have condemned thousands to death simply because they held contact and don't have a personal entourage or guards around their paranoid selves. I wonder how many cry out even now..."

Aleksander shakes his head, to try and relieve him of his heavy thoughts. He fails.

"But it matters not...none of you care about intent really, none of you care what happens to others, unless it effects you...it doesn't matter if the men and women who worked tirelessly to keep this from blowing out of proportion were doing it because they believed in the promise of the Roman Empire...kill them anyway, simply for being associated with a rogue element.

Aleksander turns sharply to Makedonios.

"And when the Caesar rebels, don't forget to kill every last Komnenodoukai, Makedonios, I mean, they did make threats towards your well being and that of your men, so don't forget to kill every last one of them, even if they break off and abhor what has been done..."

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos scoffs.

Anyone who operates from the shadows has no concept of justice.

[ULC]

Aleksander shoots Armatos a look of hatred.

"Watch your words! Lest you disgrace Iakovos memory! It was him that gathered the information, from the shadows, to help bring Symeon down, it was him who risked everything for the Empire he loved, and in the end he died for it because his sense of justice was so strong he was willing to do anything to insure the Empire's survival! Do not speak to me of justice! What justice has been served to the architect of your University, what justice was served to a man who put duty and honor above everything else, personal glory, power, and prestige, and was given only death in return! What justice was served his 3 children, now at loss of their father! DO NOT SPEAK TO ME OF JUSTICE!"

Aleksander spits in Aramtos direction.

[flyd]

Isaakios Komnenos is awakened by the shouting. He looks around for a moment, rubs his eyes, then yawns and stretches his arms and back.

Eeeee... aaaaarr... krrrr... aaaah!

He looks around some more, taps his stomach, gets up, and leaves.

[ULC]

Nikolaos sees Isaakios leave, and seeing that he is not currently needed, quickly follow Isaakios out.

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos is undeterrred. He crosses his arms and stands with his feet shoulder-length apart.

I stand by my claim! A man only operates from the shadows to hide himself from his enemies. But if his enemy does not know of him, if his enemy cannot even attempt to oppose him, then he cannot see his enemy's strength!

A soldier who does not cross paths with his opponent's sword knows nothing of combat! A scholar who is unware of contradictory ideas cannot strengthen his own! And a man who does not know the ideals of his enemies cannot understand justice! Without constant and early exposure to an enemy, a man cannot see his opponent's strength, and cannot easily learn how to discern it when returning into the light!

Iakovos was a member of this august body, and a Knight of the Order of St. John, before this busines came to head. He knew he had enemies from the start, and who they were, and thus his sword, his ideas and his ideals remained strong enough to survive even when he was operating from the shadows. For that he was a stronger man than you.

Yes, unlike him you abandoned the light to operate in the shadows. You were so skillful at hiding yourself from your enemies, so successful at avoiding their swords, their ideas and their ideals, that you had no idea what they could even look like! That is why you were unable to anticipate Symeon's usurpation, and even now you prove yourself unable to handle ideas contrary to your own!

And so, I repeat myself: Both you and anyone who remains entrenched in The Organization have no concept of justice!

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios looks at Aleksander with a look of pure contempt.

I don't care if he was your brother. You abandoned him years ago. Then you go outside of the law to create a band of criminals. You then come to us when the monster you created turned on you.

Your no better than Symeon. Iakovos was more of a man than you ever will be. Do not use his good name for your own selfish desires.

I'm glad this 'Organization' is finally at an end. I applaud both His Eminence and the Emperor in their efforts. The Empire has no room for extra-legal criminal bands, no matter how lofty their rhetoric.

[ULC]

Aleksander is barely restrained by his captors.

"You think criminals would flock to a man who killed them all?! I spent my time in the shadows because I could combat the criminal elements far more effectively then if I had ever tried to do so openly! AND I NEVER ABANDONED MY BROTHER! You know nothing Makedonios! You know of no honor lost or gained! I could not face my brother after my failure at Manizikert! Better he think I died gloriously fighting instead of be paralyzed by fear as I watched my father and brother be slaughtered! Better he think me dead then know that I suffered as a slave! Yet even from my shadows I spared no effort in my brothers keeping!"

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarch Nicholas III:

I care little for your justification for your actions or even whether we truly have your counterpart here with us. The point is that you and both sides of your unholy society's motives will never be attained.

[Cecil XIX]

If this is how effective you were in combating them "more effectively" from the shadows, then I would hate to say how you would have fared doing so out in the open.

No, you chose this path because you were too cowardly to remain out in the open. As you said, you could not face your brother. The result is as we see.

[flyd]

Since we're already in a session, that's sort of quiet at the moment, does anyone plan to propose legislation concerning the incident at Alexandria, or is this an Edict violation that will be quickly forgotten?

[Privateerkev]

Methodios has agreed to try to stop Cairo from rioting. Since it isn't one of his settlements, he's risking his life, and his actions can save lives, I personally consider the matter settled. If other's wish to propose legislation punishing him, that is their business.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios looks up.

A good question my son. The Megas Logothetes and a good number of Senators spoke out against Senator Tagaris. Will any of them take action now, or has this already been resolved?

I have done my fair share of Justice for the Session, if others feel strongly about Alexandria, let them speak.

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas rises out of his seat to say something, reconsiders, then retakes his seat.

[Warmaster Horus]

Well, I'm heading out to the House Korakas' chamber. I can promise there'll be a show later on in that place, so head by it if you want to see.
I wonder who'll be the main act of it, though...

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis Komnenos storms into the Magnaura, eyes glaring at Ksanthopouos and Kalameterous.

"I had never thought I'd see the day when my brother would openly join with the Order in attempting to discredit me. Makedonios loves to claim I break the rules, though his claims often have little substance.

I am disappointed in my father for his lack of trust. He has in effect publically condemned me on the evidence presented by my greatest enemy and that in my absence. Have we so forgotten Roman law to condemn a man without hearing his defence?

Beware what precedents you are setting - history remembers those who act unjustly.

Ioannis leaves the Magnaura.

[Ramses II CP]

As the Caesar utters the word 'unjustly' a long, hollow laugh rolls out of Vissarionas, and for the first time since returning to the Magnaura he smiles, though briefly, and nods familiarly at the Caesar's retreating back.

'I presume he didn't notice that the session was extended explicitly so that he would be allowed to present a defense? Much like he didn't notice a few thousand Turkish jihadis sneak past his army to attack the capital... not that the Emperor needed any help, of course.'

Vissa then sinks back into his seat and resumes his blank, unconcerned expression.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios's eyes narrow and he speaks quietly to his departing son.

If you can defend yourself, than do so, indignation is a poor substitute.

I have not condemned you, I am trying to save you. Open your eyes and see that Ioannis.

You arrive, speak your words and just as quickly leave. Have you ever lingered in this chamber to listen?

The Basileus sadly bows his head.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarch Nicholas III:

I have said what was needed to be said. I now take my leave.

*The Patriarch exits the Magnaura. Soon the Representative will be back to speak for him.*

[deguerra]

Kalameteros rises slowly after the Caesar is gone

For the record, I did not join with the Order to discredit the Caesar, House Asteri has been in alliance with the Order for some time, and openly so.

Secondly, I find the words "attempting to discredit" highly amusing, firstly because they imply that we were unsuccessfully, secondly because we merely published a letter from your hand and thirdly because a letter from your own hand can hardly serve to discredit, only to enlighten.

As your father said, Ioannis, nobody wants to take your right to defend yourself from you, but wild and entirely inappropriate indignation is a poor substitute.

I hope that one day, you will come to the realization that what I did, and what your father now does is not an attempt to prevent you from ruling, merely an attempt to ensure that you refine your character to become a greater Basileos.

I would like to state publicly that in that we ask much of you. Few men of this world are cut out to rule, and we are placing expectations upon you that we most likely could not meet ourselves. But that is what it is to rule, to be the God appointed leader of a people. One day you will be that leader, and I pray that day comes with you ready to take on that role.

[Ignoramus]

Reentering the chamber halfway through Kalameteros' words, Ioannis speaks after him.

How can I rule when this most esteemed body insults me endlessly and my father does nothing. Now he condemns me too. I have always been loyal to my father, but now that loyalty ends.

I trusted Kalameteros, I even promised you the position of advisor to me when I ascended the throne, because you were one of the few senators I could trust. Now it seems your confidence is meaningless. You speak of your high expectations in me, yet now I cannot even be sure they are spoken sincerely.

For too long have I had to bear the insults of that fiend, Makedonios. I hereby declare war upon him. I care not what my father thinks, as he has constantly refused to defend my honour. This is a private quarrel, and I ask that the rest of the empire leave us to it. If they do not, then I will not back down.

Ioannis hurls his glove in Makedonios' face and marches out of the Magnaura.

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos stands to address the Magnaura

The Caesar continues to show not just poor judgement, but recklessness. He just just declared war on a Megas Logothetes whose term is not even half over. Let this show this august body the wisdom of voting for the Basileus's Edict E2.1.

I shall wait for the Grandmaster to dictate the Order's response to this rediculousness. The Order shall stand united behind him.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios speaks very quietly.

My son never had a better defender in this chamber than myself, but I have grown very tired of doing so.

I must remind the Caesar of what I said when his letter came out and tempers were high.

I too would like to hear my son's explanation.

His gaze shifts to Makedonios.

This is alarming, however I expect you to fulfill your obligations as Megas Logothetes.

He slowly looks over the entire chamber.

If I catch even a whiff of insurrection from anyone, I will not hesitate to act.

Sheath your sword Ioannis, preserve peace inside the Empire, or I will act. You may still inherit the Empire, but if you declare this war, all you will have is ashes.