A dusty man dressed in Eastern fashion enters the chambers.

"So it has come to this" Phanias sighs sadly. " I am declaring for Basileios Sarpedon at this moment. He and I have not always seen eye-to-eye on the methods used to run the Arche, but when it came down to it, he's always done well for us. I especially have respect for the way the Parni insurrection was handled. Had he left the East to its own devices during the recent unpleasantness there, I may have sang a different tune, but that is neither here nor there. Mardakou, my friend, send a message to Siles asking him to meet me for a parley, before the damned fool gets himself hanged."

I also volunteer for the position of Chancellor, should the Basileios and the remaining loyal strategoi so desire.