House Ilios Korakas

[_Tristan_]

Sitting by his desk, Methodios slowly rolls up the parchment he had been reading. A brief motion of his hand has his men put their weapons back into thier sheaths. Reclining in his chair, he looks up to Nikiphoros.

What a devious little twat you are, Nikiphoros...

I almost wish I pushed that sword point some inches forward last time you were in these chambers... But now is not a time for regrets...

I need no excuse for what I did... I know full well the extent of my "crimes". Had you been there under the walls of Alexandria, seeing a man you respected and loved die a gruesome death at the hands of fanatical heretics, I hope you would have acted the same...

I fail to see how the fact that I did this on Crusade is aggravating and do not try to lecture me about the "Holy nature" of this Crusade... We all know the Crusaders have only been pawns into the hands of the Patriarch.

Do you truly think this Crusade had God' sanction ? Have you seen how the elements were against us ? We were beset by whales, by furious tempests as few sailors have ever experienced ? Is that a sign of God's willingness to see that Crusade come to a successful end ? Not in my book...

Please ask the Christians of Cairo what they think of this Crusade... Oh, sorry, I forgot... They are no more Christians in Cairo, thanks to the Patriarch's scheming. He unleashed the Caliph's dogs of war by faking some rebellious intent of these pious and unwarlike men only to divert some of our military power to Egypt, for his own ends. Nevermind that it brought the death of thousands of good Christian souls...

More than this, his devilish plot brought up the whole power of Islam against us, threatening our heartland.

I call this a graver crime than my own and that doesn't raise a single outcry. Yet you wish to punish me for doing what I saw and still believe as just and honourable in these particular circumstances.

You want to kick me out of the House I founded, please do... But if you want to assume control over Alexandria, you'll have to pry it from my dead hands...

Alexandria belongs to me personnally and I won't release it into your hands, so if you want it, you'll have to come and get it...

So Lord Captain-General, if you will excuse me, I have some business waiting for me in Cairo...

Methodios stands, adjusts his cape and scabbarded sword then walks over to Nikiphoros. Stopping one foot in front of the younger man, Methodios just waits until Nikiphoros steps aside. He then walks out the door.

[_Tristan_]

Turning one last time before going out the door, Methodios speaks up.

One last thing...

I may forget your treacherous behaviour if you would return Scopia into my hands.

With your leave...

Without waiting for an answer, Methodios strides out.

[Warmaster Horus]

As Methodios leaves, Nikiphoros turns to the scribes. Two are in the service of House Korakas, and a third was from the Magnaura. They write quickly what Nikiphoros then says:
"Let it be written that Alexandria is Tagaris' land, and Scopia remains mine."
Looking around the chamber, the new head of House Korakas dismisses his mercenaries, closes his eyes and sighs.
"It's time, I guess... One last piece of unpleasantness."
Nikiphoros takes two pieces of parchment from one of the scribes, writes on them. He sticks the first on the door of House Korakas. The second is left on the Captain-General's desk. He leaves the Chamber with his retinue. The scribes hurry to see what is on the first paper:

Decreed by Captain General of House Ilios Korakas, Nikiphoros Manouelitis

House Ilios Korakas has not started well. The first city taken by its leader was sacked. This House was founded in blood. And with such noble ideals, such a beginning should not have been tolerated.
The House Ilios Korakas is to be no longer considered an active House. All its lands, that is to say the city of Scopia and its neighbouring countryside, are now under the control of Nikiphoros Manouelitis.
Comes Nikiphoros Manouelitis

The first turns to the second:
"So that's it then. Korakas is finished." They both depart.
The last scribe stays a bit. He cannot resist looking at the second paper on which Manouelitis wrote:

To the Honourable Methodios Tagaris, Comes of Alexandria and potentially Captain-General of House Korakas

Sir. I have never intended to take House Korakas' leadership. My wish was to right a wrong, and that I believe I have done.
I have left the House. Being the only member left, I do not feel the House would thrive like you wanted it to. I therefore give you the House back, if you want it. I shall seek my fortune elsewhere.
You must however promise me:
- to change the Charter. This dreadful business began partly with that. The fact that one man can rule another's life as one can now is neither noble nor sane.
- to forever hold noble and chivalric ideals, and to never again commit an act of injustice as you have.
Farewell, Methodios Tagaris. May you find a better vassal than I have been.
Nikiphoros Manouelitis

[Motep]

I withdraw my offer to enter.

[woad&fangs]

Solomon enters the great hall covered in sand from head to foot.

I hereby swear an oath of fealty to Methodious the Chivalrous

[_Tristan_]

Ha, Annios, good to see you back...

Methodios clasps Annios' arm in a warrior salute.

Welcome to Ilios Korakas

I hereby accept your oath.

May the sands of Egypt bring all you desire, in the service of the Empire

[ULC]

Nikolaos enters with a smile, and speaks in a booming voice.

I swear an oath of fealty to Annios Solomon