The Magnaura

[TheFlax]

Ioannis rises with an odd gleam in his eyes, a somewhat twisted smile appearing on his face.

You too, brother in-law?

He chuckles

If I am the son of a traitor and you married my sister, the daughter of a traitor, what does that make you? Another "traitor" by association? What of your children? If you have any, will they be branded likewise as myself?

The Basileus seems to laugh at some private joke before stopping abruptly and becoming more somber.

I had hoped with could settle this without bloodshed. I even offered Andronikos to share power with me, like some of the emperors of old, in an attempt of compromise. I had hope that his reply saying he was considering it was genuine. Apparently not.

My time here may be limited, before Ioannis' lackeys try to arrest me, but I will leave you with a few words. I will not bring this war to my people, I will not tear down their cities in a quest for power and I will not waste my men fighting my fellow Romans, unless my hand is forced. While you bicker and gloat, destroying the Empire in the process, I will follow Senator Petzeas' example and move my army to fight the Turks. At least it will be a fight that makes sense.

Also, I will be moving the capital to Jerusalem, temporarily, as I am surely no longer welcomed here. The Magnaura and all other establishments will henceforth be held there until further notice.

He turns to leave, but stops for a moment and faces Ioannis.

I almost forgot, I will not surrender to you or swear any oath, for to do so would be accepting your cause as just. That I cannot do.

With those words the Basileus leaves the Magnaura in haste, heading for what is left of his empire.

(Edit: Forgot I could move the Capital for real, so I thought I would lose Jerusalem when I left with my army. Thus I have chosen Jerusalem over Gaza.)