The Royal Council

**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, 21:14

"That 'dumb' Celt has shown more than brawn in his display of tactics and strategy. He may not be a political man, or charismatic, but he is no idiot. One man is not smart in the same respects as another, young man!"

**MerlinusCDXX** · 06-03-2009, 21:39

As much fun as our petty arguments are, gentlemen, lets get back to business. I propose Edict 10.3 That we offer Epeiros a peace agreement and trade rights at the status quo. Epeiros has conducted itself somewhat honorably in its disagreements with us. They are also at war with the Makedones, and gaining a peace with them could help us to divert the few resources we have in the area toward driving the Makedones off of Mikra Asia. If the option is available, I'd also suggest an alliance. They haven't really had their full heart into the last war, and they could be of some use in fighting the Makedones.

**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!