The Magnaura

**The Celtic Viking** · 02-20-2009, 17:55

A young man stops at the entrance to the Magnaura, looking around a little before finally stepping fully inside. His political inexperience was shining out through his nervous face; reluctant to speak at first, but finally gathered courage and cleared his throat.

"Senators! I am Appollonas Komnenos, and I, uh..." He cleared his throat again, and blushed. "I am just going to declare myself neutral in this conflict. Thank you."

He quickly bows a little clumsily, and then finds a seat, cursing breathlessly to himself.

**KnightnDay** · 02-20-2009, 18:09

A messenger from Ammonathas Kalameteros enters

Senators, I have received disturbing reports that the city of Bucharest is in a state of civil unrest. This most likely is the result of its considerable distance from the capital. Whatever the reason, it is most apparent that our territories of Sophia and Bucharest cannot be managed properly by the present governor who betrays our people by showing no interest in affairs now reaching dire proportions. Order must be restored to preserve our northeast territories.

I assure my fellow senators that what I do, I do for the good of all. My quarrel is with this man only, and I trust others will remain neutral in this affair. I hereby declare war on Apionnas Vringas.

**Zim** · 02-20-2009, 19:57

Arintheos trembles with rage. After taking several moments to calm himself, he addresses the Senate.

Appionas Vringas was a great many with many years of service to Alexios Komnenos and his son. He has earned the right to retire peacefully in Sofia and not be slain by an opportunist who smells weakness, especially a hypocritical one that was not long ago extolling the virtues of avoiding civil wars and taking the fight to our external enemies. I feel your concern for Bucharest is a sham. If you were so worried about the cities public Order you might have spoken to me to see what I could do as Megas to quell the populace, or have sent men to help garrison it.

I declare war on Ammonathas Kalameteros. If at any time he desists from this war of greed and goes back to his Houses lands, or maybe even to the Venetian front as he so often bravely vowed to do, I will sign a peace treaty.

**TheFlax** · 02-20-2009, 21:15

Basileus Ioannis Tagaris rises from his throne, and with a nod from the older man next to him, signals the senators to calm down.

Senators, I admire the passion with which some of you have expressed themselves, but this is no time for rash actions. I do not condone the shedding of blood of fellow Romans, save in self defense. Thus, I ask each of you who have violent intentions to restrain themselves. Any senator who goes on the offensive against a fellow Roman, without my express consent, will find themselves in a state of war with myself and any loyal to me. I hope I have made myself clear.

Of course, Constantine Ksanthopoulos and Ioannis Erotikos are exceptions to this. I will applaud any actions taken against these two outlaws.

Ioannis then calmly sits back in his throne.

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 02-20-2009, 21:16

Theo receives a note and after reading it he stands..

I have received a message that Andronikos Komnenos have said in Hippodrome "I challenge him, Kousinos Sophianos, and his lackey to battle outside of Adana".
Reading this makes me wonder whether I made myself clear last time..
If I see any of those pretenders near the settlements that belong to the Order I will strike you down with the fury of the God! I will not, I repeat again, I will not allow these lands become your battlegrounds! If you want to fight against each other then do it on your soil but on the lands that belong to the faithful and loyal Romans!

Theo sits and says quietly to one of his servants..

It was a bad time to stop drinking!

**KnightnDay** · 02-21-2009, 02:33

Ammonathas Kalameteros enters the Magnaura with a shamed look, lacking the youthful confidence seen in the past.

Noble Romans, I had not expected to return to this hall so soon… but recent events have made it a grave and utter necessity. Through a sordid act, a message was delivered in my name that a state of war existed between myself and Senator Vringas of Sofia. I do not know the good senator, other than he has served honorably and with virtue and has not chosen to speak in the Magnaura recently as certainly is his right. I am aware of some difficulty with order within his city of Bucharest which the good Megas Arintheos Voutomitis saw fit to repair.

As a state of war exists between myself and he, by virtue of the announcement read here previously, I wish to personally announce that I hereby make peace with Apionnas Vringas. I further wish to advise this august body that the messenger who had made the previous announcement in my name has been found dead by an assassin’s blade not one days journey from here. The individual who was assigned to travel with him has been taken into custody, and we are making progress in ascertaining what the true story is. In time I have no doubt that will be accomplished. As an immediate remedy to the situation, I have significantly increased the security by which my messages are to be conveyed.

I must further report the disbanding of over 450 of my soldiers that might have been used in a Venetian campaign by the Megas Logothetes. I wish it made perfectly clear that I harbor no ill will by his actions. In fact, I commend him for it. Were our positions reversed, I might well have chosen the same course. And it was the same Megas Logothetes that provided me those soldiers in the first place. Understanding that a state of war also exists between us, I offer my hand in peace.

Next, Senator Sergios has extended his hand in friendship, and I have accepted this with gratitude. The now-deceased Basileus granted him clemency with regards to the recent marriage situation, and I intend to honor that wish.

Finally, as to my immediate plans, I do find it necessary to provide some reinforcement to Thessalonike. It is a city vital to the economic well-being of the empire, and suffered significant damage to several key municipal buildings in recent rioting. Once I have insured the garrison is sufficient to promote peace on the streets, I will turn my attention once more to the Venetians with the aid of Senator Sergios. I suspect that I may now have a far greater debt to repay them with respect to the damage they have wreaked.

I will remain in these halls until I have answered all questions you have for me, before returning to the business at hand.

Ammonathas walks slowly to his place and takes a seat.

**Zim** · 02-21-2009, 22:15

I accept Ammonathas' offer of peace. There seems to be no end to the devilry these Venetians are capable of.

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 02-23-2009, 10:01

Theo stands..

Looks like Andonikos Komnenos is threatening me and my army. If he wants the fight he shall have it. I told before that none of those pretenders will enter the Orders lands and I meant it! I Just want to remind Andronikos that by killing me and destroying my army the east is open to the Turks and once you all find yourself a new Basileus, recognized by all, there will be no Empire left!

So, Andronikos, come and get me!!!

Theo takes his seat and says quietly to one of his servants..

All those Komnenoi after Alexios are punch of bastards and backstabbers. Never have they cared about the lives of the commoners. It would be nice to kill them all!

Servant nods...