The Royal Council

[The Celtic Viking]

"Andromachos, the question of attacking Bithynia is no longer about "if", but of "when". I did not see you during the session, so perhaps you missed it, but we've discussed the strategy enough and Edict 4.1, which called for Bithynia and Chersonesos Thraikia to be conquered, passed unanimously. If the Thraikians would still prefer their Epeirote overlords, then Sarpedon and Aratos will just have to teach them not to take arms against the Arche! So says I, Hilarion son of Hippolytos."

[johnhughthom]

Lykikos stands

Fellows, I know I should have raised this earlier but I must have misunderstood. I am concerned at the idea of taking Byzantion, it will alarm the Greeks and be seen as a prelude to an invasion. I wholeheartedly agree with taking Asia Minor, but moving into Europe will be seen as an aggresive move by all hellenes. If we attack Byzantion our Basileus will be seen as a new Darius, a new Xerxes. We will be the new Persian Empire attempting to subdue all of Greece. Nothing would bring them together more than this.

He sits once again

[The Celtic Viking]

"With all due respect, Lykikos, how could you have misunderstood? Byzantion was specifically named in the Edict from the very beginning - an Edict which you voted in favour of.

But for what it's worth, I'm unconcerned with how tha Spartans and Athenians would see us going there. Let them whine, I say! You shouldn't forget that they used to be allies of the Ptolemaioi before, and I don't buy for a second that they were forced into it. The Epeirotes will naturally oppose it, but who cares what are enemies think? We're taking their lands, after all. As for the Makedonians, they would welcome our arrival. As is, they have been sending emissaries to Sarpedon for some while now, begging for help in a war that they're losing. Would you just leave an ally in need high and dry?

No, the Edict passed and the Edict stays. Byzantion must fall."

[johnhughthom]

My friend, I was not trying to get another vote on the edict. As you say the edict has passed and so it will stay. I did vote for it myself so cannot complain. I simply believe that we were brought together here to express our opinions, no matter how late in the day. As you say though, the fault is mine and I will not raise the issue again. Tha assault on Byzantion has my full support.