The Royal Council

[Marcus Agrippa]

"The personal messenger of Anaxarchos Kyrrhestikes Syriakes, stands to read his masters words to the counsel"

Generals, Noblemen, Brothers.
I ask that you heed my words for this is a time we should strive for unity against our common foe. We need a clear mind and one decision on what to do. I say we all vote on a plan to counter Ptolemy. I request first that spies be sent to ascertain what we face and where. Second: that we continue to marsh a vast army and supporting forces.
Third: that the pontic campaign start if there is no great risk of our generals being absent or getting out-manoeuvred.
Lastly: that we don’t fall pray to the infighting that split Megas Alexander’s great empire. After all he wanted unity and respect between east and west. I would encourage the eastern satrap to make plans to extend his domain to the most easterly extent he can.
Long live the Arche!
Anaxar

[MerlinusCDXX]

To Anaxarkhos' messenger

We are already working on all the things your superior has suggested, good of you to remind us. Spies are already en-route to the Southwestern front. I believe Satrap Sarpedon has the Pontic war effort well in hand, I trust he will strike when the time is right. As for the Ptolemies, we have only suffered a setback, they have taken no territory from us, and recruiting is going full tilt at this point. I believe Basileus Antiochos plans to personally repay those freaks with the best the Arkhe can muster, they have a lot to answer for. As for extending our influence to the East, this is in the works, but the time is not ripe yet. I am extending an offer to your superior, that he may actively participate in the taming of the East, as my Aide. Pretty words are well and good, but it's time to put our money where our mouths are.

[The Celtic Viking]

"As for when I will strike, I've pretty much been waiting for the clearance to do so. For one thing I think we should first send a diplomat and officially end the alliance before we attack, which hasn't been done yet, and secondly the Ptolemaic situation has complicated things. With but one word from the basileus, I can strike. My forces aren't fully gathered yet, though, and if I would have to make an assault, I would want those Jews with me, so for full efficiency and safety, we would wait at least until they get to me. But that would likely mean postponing my attack at least a year, so there is that to consider as well."

[Marcus Agrippa]

Anaxar's representative turns to face Lydikes

Lord Lydikes,
If my services are not needed in The Ptolemy war then I shall travel to aid you in the east.
I am in transit to Damaskas but need not continue with Achaios Syriakos passing from this realm to the underworld. I await conformation from those fighting this conflict of the Basileus.
Anaxar

[Adamantarius]

A rider from Damaskos rushes in with a scroll and begins reciting aloud:

"Highest of the High, Most Wise and Just Fathers and Brothers of the Council,

The city of Bostra in the neighboring country of Nabataia is besieged by an army of innumerable proportions: banners, shields, and engines of war as far as the eye can see! WHEN this city to the South of Damaskos falls, it will not be long till the leader of that great force looks North toward our valuable mines, seeking to seal off the Arche's might from the riches that are as of yet still untapped. Should I fall, defending one of our two passages to the Inner Empire, to the hordes, we must press Southward from Sidon to Hierosolyma, cut off the enemy's supplies, and maintain a front further from Imperial soil.

I am sending my best rider by swiftest mount; I pray this message falls upon sound ears and that a plan can be put into action posthaste.

Ever Your firm and unwavering adherent,

H. N. Syriakes"

The horseman awaits the response.

[Celtic_Punk]

A young Celt walks into the council with haste, he is clad in mail
"Sire, Strategos Cunobelinus has laid seige to Sinope. It is garissoned only by the King of Pontus' royal cavalry, and he asks, "what is to become of the populace?"

[GMaximus]

"I am glad it was a simple misunderstanding, and will make it known that Lord Mikithion would fully support this view; the rulers of the Koinon are indeed not to be trusted, and that is the reason I am here and my Lord is in Ankyra. The favoured city of Athena gains no glory through their leadership which only leads to Athenai becoming a mere shadow of what it was before even Megas Alexandros. Perhaps the only way for Her to regain this former glory is to become a part of the Arche, who can tell? The Gods' designs are not for mortals to predict." With this, Alexander sat down again.

[Celtic_Punk]

A young Galatian enters the room"Cunobelinus has defeated the Pontic King in single combat! The Pontic Dynasty is no more, and 1500 protesters were rounded up and sold as slaves. Cunobelinus' Contingent of the 1st Syrian army desperately needs reinforcements from the battle before Sinope's capture, including his own cavalry unit. Unrest in Sinope is astronomical, and can only be solved by instituting our own government, lowering taxes, and leaving a more competent governor he says. He requests new orders, or he asks if can return to old home in Galatia, to live and command a garrison there." The young boy kneels in wait for a reply to bring to his general.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

A Magistrate rises from his seat and says..

Since our Basileus is currently occupied with his army then he have instructed me to open the new Council Session. So here it goes...

I declare the Council Session open! It will stay open for debate and legislation until 21.00 GMT on Saturday, December 6th, at which point there will be 48 hours allowed for voting.

The Magistrate smiles and sits back to his seat..

[Celtic_Punk]

A substantially taller (from the last time he entered this room) Cunobelinus enters the council chamber. He has a grim look from the many bloody battles he's fought, and his reddish blond beard is now full. He also has a bandage over his left ear. He looks around the room for a suitable seat, and finds one next to Sarpedon. He sits and waits a few seconds before once again standing to address the council."*Ahem* Since nobody seems to have started, I guess I shall. The campaign went well. Pontus is removed. Their King is dead as you all know... However now that we've taken his former kingdom, the city of Sinope does not support our presence. We need a larger garrison there also. My men need reinforcement desperately, though I am confident I could defend the city from attack from a significantly larger force, we would be eventually slaughtered by any force numbering in the thousands. My own cavalry needs new equipment, and we also need more men. I came here with a less than a dozen men. I know where I can find some, back in the homeland, but I'd need the money to acquire their services.
Cunobelinus clears his throat and takes a sip of water, recently poured by a servant.
I believe we should continue to keep the Armenians on our side. They provide an excellent buffer from the brutal steppes, and they've aided us in battle before, which is a honourable trait to have in an ally. They are not cowards by any means, in fact are exceptional warriors. We should help them in their troubles when we can, economically and militarily. However our biggest threat (other than the Aigyptians) is the bastards from the Hella's proper. Pyhross, I believe his name is, Has expanded East and is challenging our dominance of Asia Minor. I propose an edict...
EDICT 4.1 A campaign to the West against the Epirotes to take their holdings in Asia Minor, and to take Byzantion.

Byzantion will act as a buffer from further attacks West. If we decide it be necessary to expand from there, it will not be a problem... I volunteer to lead any expedition West, against this new threat. This campaign could be completed by a small force... the Royal army under Sarpedon would be overkill. The contingent of the 1st Syrian Army I lead to Sinope would be sufficient I believe, once it retrains and is reinforced.

[navarro951]

General Ankyrikos rises, looking much more like a man now, and addresses the council.

Good men of the Great Arche, let me first say that I extend my applause to Cunobelinus in his dominance over the pretender king in Pontus. Ankyrikos gestures with a nod I believe he is right about our Armenian neighbors...they are honorable friends and would be deadly as a foe indeed. They are also expendable as Cunobelinus mentioned...they can indeed be our buffer.

Now on the Edict he has proposed...4.1, I feel he is a little over confident about the Epirote military power in Asia Minor. Our spies have just reported to us that their forces in that area are in great numbers. However, I will second the Edict, because as my army in Antiocheia is now fully retrained I would like to extend my assistance by bringing my men along into the fight. I feel confident that with enough men committed to the battle no force can beat us.

I would also like to raise the question we had discussed briefly about what should become of the Greeks to the west. Some say we should rescue these people from their own leaders as they are Hellons like us and are improperly treated. Their leaders, I believe, cannot be trusted! Or aloud to continue to lead! I believe we should do our Makedonian friends a favor and give them a new border with us whom have been a great Ally to them for many years now. Some here have spoke of the fact that those Greek kings have helped our Aigyption scum of an enemy in trade and helping their commerce. No wonder those bastards can throw such formidable armies against us in continuous waves at cities like Sidon.

So I propose the following Edict:

Edict 4.2: That a fleet of our cheapest and fastest ships available be constructed so that we can liberate our Hellon brethren, in essence, I believe the great Arche should conquer Greece while not interfering with our Allies (Makedonia) interests.

[kingsnake]

Yes, Kleoronomos Basileion, I will include your status on my report to my lord.

I predict Aratos will just camp outside Mazaka and resupply.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

The Council doors open and Antiochos walks in. Looking around he can see everyone's surprise. Looking towards the throne he smiles and understands this confusion. The man, sitting on the throne, looks exactly like him. Antiochos says to him..

You can go now, Telemachos!

The man, Telemachos, bows and leaves the room. Turning towards the rest of the room he says..

I apologize for this confusion. I left Telemachos stay here so that I could go to Ioudaia and see what is going on there myself. Things don't look in our favour I must say. Although Ptolemaioi forces besiege the city of Sidon, that we captured from them, I say that we don't need Emergency Council Session.
The men under Bithys Nisaias Parthiakes are ready to fight against Ptolemaioi and will serve the Arche under Timarchos Mysiakes.

Turning towards Euripides...

Now.. And what will I do with you! You have insulted a lot of people I've heard! The easiest thing would be just cut your head off...

One of Antiochos' bodyguards smiles and draws his sword..

.. but you will not get away so easily.

Smile from the bodyguards face disappears and slowly he puts his sword away...

You will rot in the dungeon until some better punishment comes to my mind!
Let it be known that if someone is here to represent their master then they really should watch their language! You are here only to tell us your master words and nothing else.

Taking his seat he looks how Euripides is dragged away from the Council room..

[Alerion]

A messenger enters the court and hands a note to Theodoros' servant. The messenger then waits at the door, while the servant reads aloud:

"Great Basileus, Fellow Strategoi, I have come aware of our town Sidon besieged my the Ptolemaic forces, but althoug I don't doubt the army I command would be more than capable of dealing with them, I won't be there in time to relieve the town. I suggest, some forces from Ioudaia should be sent there as I highly doubt the garrison will be able to fight of an early attack. As for now I will keep the Parthian Army marching towards Damaskos to defend our borders until the royal army arrives there and we can coordinate a plan to hit these egyptians hard.

Strategos Theodoros Syriakos"

The servant takes his seat and waits if there are any messages he should send to his master.

[navarro951]

General Ankyrikos rides in from Antiocheia after his seasonal absence.

"Good Basileus! I have come to report that my army is stationed within the walls of Antiocheia. While I know we must wait to be retrained by the Chancellor, I ask if my assistance will be required against the Ptolmy along with your Royal Army and the Parthian Army. As of now I understand our orders are that of defense...which it seems either way our current combats will be, but I offer my hand in soon to come engagements with Egyptian scum if you will allow it."