Io nods his head companionably before answering,

A fair question, but my good leader senator Sophianos has chosen to give the lads a rest and I for one won't gainsay him. We will march again as soon as he is ready.

I'd like to announce I'm also running for Megas. All that stuff Arintheos said sounds good, I rather think I'll do all that too if I win, plus I pledge that I will fulfill my vow to avenge noble Armatos within my term. I also believe that, with just a few sacrifices here and there, we can exterminate the remaining Turks and secure our eastern borders. Once the east is secure, and only once the east is secure, will the full resources and might of the Empire be turned back west. Until then I would intend to ask the good men of the Empire to hold the line against Venice with what resources can be spared.

The matter of the wayward Princess I declare my highest intent to see settled peacefully, and quickly! We must not squabble amongst ourselves while our enemies grow strong gentlemen! No man engaged in civil war, on any side, will have the support of the Megas during my term. My word on it.

Hmm, what else was there? Oh, yes, and I think it's about time we enlisted some allies against the Venetians. I think with a little encouragement our, err, not-quite-brothers in the Holy Roman Empire could be brought into the conflict to take the pressure off the western front.

Regrettably Egypt appears to be in something of a dire state, and the Levant little better. There are men aplenty in the area, they just all appear to be engaged in less than productive endeavors. Those men will reform, taking on governerships at the very least, or they will find themselves short of funds under my hand.

God grant you luck in our contest Senator Arintheos! (under his breath: Just not too much.)