The Magnaura

[KnightnDay]

Fellow senators,

Having had the opportunity to carefully consider the recent actions of Helarionas Anargiros, I must say that the lack of a substantive response outside of the recent actions of Senator Markos, is most concerning. If this action had not involved the loss of life, I might well have looked, as some still do, towards a peaceful solution. Regretfully, Senator Helarionas chose to betray the confidence that the empire placed in him. He chose to expend the lives of many Byzantine soldiers, not in the protection of our lands or citizens as was his sacred duty, but in defense of himself and a woman that by law is not rightfully his.

If it is the will of the Basileus, I shall abstain from taking up arms against Senator Helarionas. Until such time as the desire of our sovereign is made clear however, I announce my intention to move against Durazzo which is still under the control of this rebellious senator, whose murderous act of betrayal deserves but a single and unambiguous reply.

Now by law I make the follow declaration. I hereby declare war on Helarionas Anargiros.

[Ignoramus]

The Komnenoi page returns and rises to address the Magnaura.

"Noble Senators, His Excellency, Ioannis Komnenos, Basileus of the Romans, is reported to have just conquered Durazzo. The garrison apparently fled before his army and the town is now under the personal control of the Basileus."

As a result, the Basileus sees no need for the conflict with Helanorios to continue, but will await for the latter to crave for pardon. Hence, he proposes peace with Helanorios.

The page bows respectfully and exits the chamber.

[Ignoramus]

The page reenters.

"His Excellency also wishes that those involved in the civil war with the rebel to make peace with him at once. Having discussed with the rebel, the Basileus has decided that he will officially sanction the marriage between the former rebel and the princess. This is not out of resignation, or intimidation, but out of the kindness of his heart.

The rebel has lost his only lands, and His Excellency considers that to be an appropriate punishment."

The page bows and leaves.

[Ituralde]

My Congratulatons to Arintheos Voutomitis for winning the close fought...

A secretary leans over to him to whisper in his ear.

Well? Really? Excluded from the Election?

Ahem. Congratulations to Arintheos Voutomitis for being elected to the post of Megas Logothetes. May he bring peace and justice to the Empire.

He looks over to the Basileus

It seems he has already begun.

[_Tristan_]

A letter is handed to one of the Protoasecretes' aides. Unsealing it and quickly perusing it, the man visibly flinches and turns pale as chalk. with a shaky hand, he hands the letter to the Protoasecretes who grabs it absent-mindedly. Slowly scanning it, the Protoasecretes' eyes become larger and larger the further he reads. Then, hanging his head, he slowly and apprently unwillingly rises from his seat and starts reading :

"Senators of the Empire,

The most Holy City of Jerusalem has been freed by Byzantine arms. Too long had it been at the mercy of the Muslims who reigned over it. It was ample time that we showed them the might of our Empire.

However, I am sad to announce that this great city will not be a jewel to be added to the Basileus' crown.

Most my life, me and my family have suffered the scorn and the whims of our Basileus. The recent events have led me to believe that I'll be forever an enemy in the eyes of Ioannis Komnenos.

His grant of a pardon to the man who absconded with my daughter is only the last of the many insults done to me and mine.

I have often spoken out against Ioannis, rarely did I do anything to stand up to him. Even during the war that was declared between us, I chose not to take up arms against fellow Greeks.

But now, this must come to an end. I will not see the rest of my family suffer as I did. I must preserve my son and my daughters from the neglect of Basileus.

Having long considered the options available to me, I have decided that it was time for me the cut the bonds that tied me to this Empire, to free myself and mine from the yoke of an nepotic and unjust ruler.

I declare myself and my lands in secession from the Empire.

I invite any and all Senators who wish to live and fight for freedom and justice to come and join me. To those who prefer to stand by Ioannis, I warn them that should they decide to wage war on the lands of Egypt and Jerusalem, they'll soon discover what our enemies felt facing me.

Lastly, Ioannis, our agreement upon the marriage of my daughter Theodora is now broken. I will not lose another daughter because you cannot bring one of your vassals to heel.

Methodios Tagaris
Caesar of the Basileion ton Romaion no longer.
King of Jerusalem, Palestine and Northern Egypt.

[ULC]

Demetrios enters the Magnuara, a forlorn yet proud look upon his face.

"I have come bearing word to the Senators of the Roman Empire from my master Helarionas Anargiros. He wishes it to be known that he willingly surrendered Durazzo to the Basileus, and intentionally did so to avoid bloodshed."

"However - Helarionas Anargiros cannot except the Basileus's pardon with good conscience. He understands he has broken Imperial Law, and must face punishment for it, and does not think the loss of Durazzo is "just punishment". Inaccordance with this, and by request of Lady Aleksandra herself, Helarionas Anargiros himself surrenders his army and his life to Caesar Methodios Tagaris, for him to judge. He will leave his army in the care of his Captain Gerasimos and Mistress Chara and head to Egypt with Aleksandra, and will present himself before Caesar Methodios, unarmed and unguarded, and to be dealt with as the Caesar see fit."

After Demetrios finished, he looks around at the Magnuara, and sees stunned faces. Demetrios's look quickly turns quizzical as a page scurries up to him and whispers into his ear. Demetrios's face turns pallid as he he staggers backward to his seat, a look of horror and shock upon him as he stares at the page.

[KnightnDay]

In accordance with the wishes of the Basileus, I withdraw my declaration of war against Helarionas Anargiros and express my distinct relief that no more lives need be sacrificed as a result of this decision.

[Ituralde]

Nikitas Moschos can be heard laughing loudly.

This is just perfect! So the one outlawed Senator thinks that the punishment inflicted upon him by our Basileus is not enough and instead wishes to be sentenced by the former Caesar, now self-declared Despot of Egypt, handing him an army in the process! Am I the only one who finds this funny?

Well maybe this will mean the Caesar will actually mean what he says and wage war and not just sit around in his country home entertaining his daughters, who seem to be at the source of every problem we had recently.

[_Tristan_]

The Protoasecretes stands hadn harumphs loudly, visibly ill at ease.

My Lord Basileus, I do not think this marriage is still in the order of the day...

May I remind you of the words of our "Caesar" ?

A letter is handed to one of the Protoasecretes' aides. Unsealing it and quickly perusing it, the man visibly flinches and turns pale as chalk. with a shaky hand, he hands the letter to the Protoasecretes who grabs it absent-mindedly. Slowly scanning it, the Protoasecretes' eyes become larger and larger the further he reads. Then, hanging his head, he slowly and apprently unwillingly rises from his seat and starts reading :

"Senators of the Empire,

The most Holy City of Jerusalem has been freed by Byzantine arms. Too long had it been at the mercy of the Muslims who reigned over it. It was ample time that we showed them the might of our Empire.

However, I am sad to announce that this great city will not be a jewel to be added to the Basileus' crown.

Most my life, me and my family have suffered the scorn and the whims of our Basileus. The recent events have led me to believe that I'll be forever an enemy in the eyes of Ioannis Komnenos.

His grant of a pardon to the man who absconded with my daughter is only the last of the many insults done to me and mine.

I have often spoken out against Ioannis, rarely did I do anything to stand up to him. Even during the war that was declared between us, I chose not to take up arms against fellow Greeks.

But now, this must come to an end. I will not see the rest of my family suffer as I did. I must preserve my son and my daughters from the neglect of Basileus.

Having long considered the options available to me, I have decided that it was time for me the cut the bonds that tied me to this Empire, to free myself and mine from the yoke of an nepotic and unjust ruler.

I declare myself and my lands in secession from the Empire.

I invite any and all Senators who wish to live and fight for freedom and justice to come and join me. To those who prefer to stand by Ioannis, I warn them that should they decide to wage war on the lands of Egypt and Jerusalem, they'll soon discover what our enemies felt facing me.

Lastly, Ioannis, our agreement upon the marriage of my daughter Theodora is now broken. I will not lose another daughter because you cannot bring one of your vassals to heel.

Methodios Tagaris
Caesar of the Basileion ton Romaion no longer.
King of Jerusalem, Palestine and Northern Egypt.