The Royal Council

**Celtic_Punk** · 06-03-2009, 18:11

The Greek frowns at Hilarion's condescending manner and inability to listen"I have introduced myself, you have clearly decided not to give me time of day. I shall say it again. My name is Duros."

"Also, Cunobelinus would not be inheriting the Satrapy, but taking care of it until the bedridden Satrap is ready to take his post once more. Dismantling the Satrapy is as foolish as it is drastic. Egypt needs direct leadership, not distant control. It is home to several great cities not small backwater towns... The edict is fully legal, there is no law stating the Satrap cannot appoint one of his aids to run things while he is unable to do that himself for whatever reason. There is no law stating the council cannot appoint such a man either. This is not inheritance, but rather a temporary replacement till the Satrap himself is ready to take over. The man is very sick. Should his illness be blamed on him? Should he lose his job for just that? Should he succumb to his illness we can always find a new Satrap. This edcit would not be handing the satrapy over, just lending the full authority of it to one of its aids till necessary."
He clears his throat, thinks for a second and then once again speaks.
"Also how can You be forced to make decisions. These are not your decisions to make. Where is the Basileus? His campaign is on halt and I am surprised to not be addressing him, instead of his servant. If Cunobelinus' lieutenant can make it to the Council from the middle of the desert why cannot the Basileus? Before you propose this edict, on behalf of the Satrapy of Egpyt and the General, I demand proof that this is the Basileus' decision and not your own! The Greek pulls a parchment out from his clothes and shows it to the council"Here is my signed proof that I represent Cunobelinus, and it details the edict he sent me here to propose! Where is your proof? Until the Basileus can reassure us himself that you speak truly on behalf of his intentions Your say should be null. From what I've heard about you there are some suspicions. I must say your lack of attentiveness to pick up my name shows your disinterest in what the other's here are trying to achieve. This sort of behaviour of yours is counter-productive. Just like your new edict."

"Should the current Satrap of Egypt be removed, The Satrapy should stay, and Cunobelinus should be placed in his stead. Cunobelinus has served the in the Arche's military since 273 and has shown in his governance of Memphis that he can properly administer,delegate tasks, and manage a populace. He has shown leadership and has won more battles against the odds that no other General in the Arche can boast. Egypt and the Nile are the Arche's biggest assets, and should be trusted to a man no less than Cunobelinus. He has overcome many enemies and served the Basileus himself on the battlefield. He has shown that he thinks nothing of himself but only of the security and well being of those he is responsible for, by going beyond the call of duty to insure such security of the Satrapy and thus of the Arche. He should be given this authority, as he has been running the Satrapy himself within the bounds of his Aidship for sometime anyway."

"And one more thing... Hilarion, if you have indeed been speaking for the Basileus since he left to campaign, why does he seem so Hell bent on the destruction of the Satrapy of Egypt, and Cunobelinus? Since Cunobelinus has left to secure the Arche's borders he has recieved absolutely no support what so ever, and has had to resort to his own resourcefulness to supply himself and his men. Why is the General's prior service to the Arche completely forgotten? Even the charges levied on him after he'd garnered a purely volunteer force from Alexandriea seem to discount prior service. It seems that it's his record of many victories is what is being held against him. Or does that the fact that he's a Celt means he deserves ill treatment? or even worse no support while campaigning on behalf of the Basileus and his empire? It seems as if you or the Basileus are trying to trap him behind the Ptolemaic lines. Do we need a repeat of Xenophon's army's march? When all you need to do is authorize garrisoning of a few small towns, these choices you've made seem quite suspect. What are your intentions by not garrisoning these newly added settlements? Do you wish to trap Cunobelinus? Do you wish to see he and his men surrounded and butchered? or worse even captured? Are you trying to push him away from the Arche? It seems you are trying to make an enemy out of him. He is a very very big Celt. And worse is he's a very good at what he does, and is a very well liked General at the head of an army. Pissing him off might not be a very smart thing, especially since he's just an honourable soldier trying to do his duty to his country, and nothing more."

**Incitatus** · 06-03-2009, 19:04

Alexandros enters the council and speaks

It has been a long time since I was last here but I assure you all that my time in the desert has not dulled my wits. Speaking as one who has traveled along the Nile and also as one with a great deal of experience with the people of Egypt, I do not think it would be wise to discard the satrapy. The Egyptians are a proud people with a long history and would not take lightly an imposing ruler from afar. No, the Egyptians need a ruler in Alexandria who is able to understand the local customs and traditions. If the Basileus wishes better administration in Egypt, by all means remove Aratos, but appoint a new satrap in his place. As far as it goes I believe Cunobelinus would make an excellent satrap, but as you say Hilarion this is the Basileus' decision and not mine. This gives me reason to second Edict 10.1.

As for Mikra Asia and the Macedonian threat, I believe that it is firmly in the Arche's interests to appoint a new satrap and I fully support Kleonemos as a candidate. Mikra Asia needs to be defended, and this is exactly the job for a satrap. At the very least it is not the responsibility of the 1st Lydian. The defeat of the Macedonians should be our first priority - they have nothing to lose and will not stop until they all lie dead. The rebels can wait. Let them sit in Babylon. If they decide to attack more of our loyal cities that will just make it easier for us to destroy them.

with this Alexandros bows and sits

**The Celtic Viking** · 06-03-2009, 19:42

Hilarion rose with a jerk.

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing! The lord Basileus Sarpedon Syriakos is has been my close friend ever since we were both wee teenagers, and he has appointed me to speak for him here in his absence. Look!"

Hilarion brought forth a parchment with the Basileus' sign on it, which did indeed support Hilarion's claim. He showed it to the Council, and then put it back.

"There you have it. The Basileus is on his way and he will be here soon; he's just a little delayed. I will have none of you question my authority here, lest you wish to have lord Sarpedon's wrath upon you when he arrives. That goes for you too, Duros, who should cease your threats and remember that pissing off lord Sarpedon is not a wise idea either, and these are his halls, not yours.

As for your claims that he is 'hell bent on the destruction of the Satrapy of Egypt and Cunobelinus', it is plainly false. He wish to dismantle it now because the current satrap is unable to fulfil his duties, and the most advanced barracks should not be in the hands of someone who can't make use of it. As for Cunobelinus, you are either dishonest, ill informed or you have a poor memory. Lord Sarpedon chose not to support Cunobelinus' campaign because that was part of the penalty he got for taking lord Sarpedon's men from him illegally, and Cunobelinus was informed of this prior to setting off. We've been through this plenty of times, and I will not waste more time discussing this."

Hilarion turns to Alexandros.

"Not the 1st Lydian's responsibility?! Who's responsibility is it otherwise? The army exist to defend the lands of this kingdom, and as the only presence in the area, that is what it has to do! Outrageous. Would you have the civilians fend for themselves, or what?

As I have said, I do not think lord Sarpedon wish to rush into anything at this moment. Setting up a new satrap in this moment just to counter the Makedonians is hasty, and I doubt it would do much good anyway. But I will let the Basileus have the word on this, as he may be of a different mind, or not."

**MerlinusCDXX** · 06-03-2009, 19:53

Yes, Hilarion, do show me some piece of paper. You seem to forget that YOU personally don't have any weight to throw around. It's easy enough to steal the Royal Seal and do whatever you like with it. All I hear you saying is dismantle this, no more Satrapies and such. What hubris you must have to think that you could administer these vast stadia all alone. And another thing, Hilarion, don't threaten me, boy. I could rip your throat out through your arsehole, and no one here would lift a finger top stop me, you toplofty little turd.

**The Celtic Viking** · 06-03-2009, 20:15

As Phanias had spoken, Sarpedon had quietly and unnoticed entered.

"Phanias! What is this foolishness! Hilarion have not stolen anything, and I don't know what has happened here while I was away, but I will not have your own hubris thinking you have the right to insult my representative - and good friend - here like that! You will apologize and back down from your ridiculous charges, or I will have you removed from my halls immediately. This is madness!

In these halls we behave like civilized men."

**MerlinusCDXX** · 06-03-2009, 20:26

Originally Posted by The Celtic Viking

As Phanias had spoken, Sarpedon had quietly and unnoticed entered.

"Phanias! What is this foolishness! Hilarion have not stolen anything, and I don't know what has happened here while I was away, but I will not have your own hubris thinking you have the right to insult my representative - and good friend - here like that! You will apologize and back down from your ridiculous charges, or I will have you removed from my halls immediately. This is madness!

In these halls we behave like civilized men."

My apologies then, Basileios. But I believe my suspicions were not misplaced. I have not seen or spoken to you personally for more than 3 years, and come here to find your friend acting as if he is the Basileios himself. If you wish for him to have such authority, why not promote him to strategos and give him an army. Soldiers take ill to petty bureaucrats giving orders without having proven themselves. I take orders from you, my lawful sovereign, not some functionary.

**Celtic_Punk** · 06-03-2009, 20:41

"My liege, my name is Duros. Representative of the General Cunobelinus. There have been some alarming statements by Hilarion, which have caused me to send for the General. These statements have regarded dismantling of the Satrap of Egypt, and statements regarding the reappointment of a Satrap of Lydia... Something only you can do. Not even a representative of you can be trusted in matters like this. I respectfully urge you to consider appointing Cunobelinus either acting satrap or full satrap of Egypt. He has faithfully served you personally on the field, and has shown exemplary performance as a governor in Memphis. There is only one man for the job. and that's the General. He's won countless battles against even the most gruelling odds. When even you wouldn't support him he pulled victory out of nothing. When he sprung a trap that threatened to destroy him and the volunteer army he led, he beat the odds. This is a man who is clearly blessed and watched by the Gods. He's never asked for anything of you, save for safety for his family while he could not be with them, and troops in his recent campaign. The only reason he asks for this authority now is because he sees the necessity of it. Proper governance of the Nile requires a special kind of man, with special qualities. I believe the General has such traits. Besides... Who would you want to defend the Arche if our eventual border with Carthage becomes hostile? We'd want no less than the best. I'd trust that border to none other than our mutual friend, Cunobelinus.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 06-03-2009, 21:00

One of the scribes, noticing a brief moment of silence, speaks..

Master Hilarion, you asked about the Edict that was proposed by Arrhenides "Cunobelinus" Gedrosianos. The way it is proposed.. there are no objections from us. It's cleverly put together so that it wouldn't contradict any laws.

Saying quietly to another scribe next to him..

I doubt that that dumb Celt could have been behind it...

**Celtic_Punk** · 06-03-2009, 20:19

"I do not have suspicions of the Basileus. I do have suspicions of you however. And given the history of the General and the Basileus, I do not think he would abandon him despite him taking troops that belonged to him. Sarpedon is an intelligent man, why would he endanger his own kingdom for the sake of a petty disagreement. He may have appointed to you to represent him, but that means you should ask his opinion before spouting such things as you've said here. Like you said, these are his halls, not yours! You must have something against Cunobelinus yourself to put up roadblocks at everyturn. He is trying his damnedest to make something of himself and the Arche, and does it alone. Thats more of a man than you can call yourself. Name one thing you've done yourself for the country. Name one instanced where you've risked life and limb. The general has sacrificed not only his time to spend with his family, but even lost an ear. You try to discredit a man who's given his all time and time again, and has never asked for anything. He's never pushed to give himself any kind of power at all. The only thing's he's asked for is a chance to prove himself on the battlefield (which he has done time and time again, and has proven to be at the very least one of the Arche's best generals) And for a safe home for his family. When he tried to withdraw from the military, and live in Galatia, Lord Sarpedon called on him to join him. He did. The only time he's not been working diligently for the Arche was when he made a pilgrimage to his father's village in Gaul. This Galatian has done more for this Arche than you ever will. Give him some respect. We do not threaten you. But it seems you have threatened us! Why are you turning against your own people? Part of the penalty... hmmph, so as part of the penalty he is earmarked by you for death? as part of the penalty you endanger us all?! This seems more of a personal vendetta than a judicial matter.

The Greek gestures to a servant "Get Achiakos, and tell him to send for the General, He is needed at the council, as I cannot put words in his mouth....
Duros turns to Phanias "I support your move here, You should lead this council session until we see the Basileus come through these doors. I am sure Cunobelinus would also support you in your re-election as chancellor, as he's voted for you before."

EDIT: This was supposed to be here before the king entered... shiiiite!

**MerlinusCDXX** · 06-03-2009, 19:08

Having stood in the doorway listening to what has transpired, Phanias strides resolutely into the council chamber.

Hilarion, you forget yourself. Where is Basileios Sarpedon? I've rode a long way to be here, to confer with my lawful sovereign, and I come here to find YOU mistreating the general staff as if you are the Basileios himself. I do not recall B. Sarpedon ever naming YOU Kleronomos Basileios. B. Sarpedon is conveniently absent from these halls for more than 3 years? I find this highly suspicious. Have you stuffed him into an amphora perhaps, so you could play in his sandbox? Run along now, you are not needed. I will accept no words out of your mouth until I see B. Sarpedon in person. If you wish to order good soldiers around, you need to join the army and rise through the ranks like the rest of us. Magistrate, I second Cunobelinus' Edict 10.1. Also, I will be taking over this council session, as I am the only one here with PROPER authority to do so, until the Basileios arrives. I shall also run for re-election to Chancellor. Magistrate, please adjust the record to show my intentions.