Re: House of the Ασημένιο ΓΕΡΑΚΙ (Tepaki)
As Efstratios placed the ceremonial sword back above the hearth of the fireplace he heard the sound of hoof beats outside the tavern walls. Walking over to one of the small windows he peered outside. Arranged before the tavern was a small force of about 20 men. Though covered in dirt from the day’s travel the quality of their arms and armor stood out. To any casual observer they would have appeared to be Kataphraktoi under the employ of the Basileus. However, Efstratios noted a disturbing diversity in their dress. Instead of Byzantine purple these new comers wore a patchwork variety of colors and heraldic imagery. As they approached the tavern Efstratios signaled towards one of his soldiers who handed him a crossbow and then set about pulling on a rope.
Outside, a young man, apparently the leader, dismounted and approached the tavern door. As he neared the entrance an iron portcullis was swiftly lowered in front of him. Bewildered, he looked about until his gaze fell on a small window to his left where a man was watching him with crossbow in arm.
“It strikes me as poor business to drop a portcullis on paying customers, or am I mistaken to believe that this is a simple tavern?” questioned the newcomer.
“A tavern it is, but simple it is not. This place doubles as headquarters for the House of Tepaki, Order of the Silver Hawk, 5th largest house in the Byzantine Empire. And who might you be who brings a small army with him to buy a flask of ale?" replied Efstratios.
Taking time to gather his thoughts, the newcomer at long last spoke, “I am a former merchant of Zagreb, and now a wandering kataphracktoi seeking audience with the Magnaura at Constantinople. The men under my command are all Orthodox merchants, smiths, and miners from the lands in and around Zagreb. Since Methodios abandoned us, our trades have been monopolized by first Hungarian and then Venetian Catholics. An Orthodox Christian can hardly make an honest living there anymore. We have all forged or purchased enough equipment to fight as kataphraktoi and now we seek a lord to serve who will give us a chance to obtain glory and wealth.”
“In that case you have come to the right place,” Replied the now cheerful Efstratios.
He signaled to someone in the room and the portcullis was raised. Opening the door, Efstratios began to talk, “By swearing fealty to a member of the Tepaki you will become a senator of the Byzantine Empire,” grabbing a piece of parchment from the wall he continued, “All you have to do is sign here.”
The newcomer grabbed a nearby quill and ink pot and wrote out in sophisticated calligraphy his name.
Annios Solomon
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