Summit - Nicosia

[Ituralde]

Pavlos grumbles something to himself, but then remains content to just listen. Maybe gazing at the sky from time to time to follow the flight of the local birds.

[_Tristan_]

Lord Apionnas,

What I'd like to hear is what our Basileus is ready to concede himself as part of the settlement of this conflict. He created the situation by forcing my hand as I have already stated.

Had he acted differently, more respectful of his vassal's well-being, we would not be in this mire.

Until now, we haven't heard any wish for atonement from Ioannis, we haven't heard a lot from him anuyway but all we heard was more demands.

The relationship between a lord and his vassal must work both ways if it is to work efficiently. But in Ioannis' view, everything's due to him from everyone with only a few reaping the benefits of his scant generosity.

But to show my good faith in resolving this conflict, I'm willing to accept my confinement to my provinces of Egypt and those of House Ilios Korakas, if they will accept until such time as Death comes knocking at my door. Further conditions may be applied but will be subject to discussion.

[Ignoramus]

Leaving aside the Caesar's "concession", I am willing to pardon the Caesar and acknowledge and grant my blessing to his daughter's marriage, on condition of the above two requirements being met. The Caesar is in the wrong for breaking the Charter of the empire.

The Caesar should acknowledge that losing a province and a bit of pride is a small price to pay for being pardoned for committing treason.

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas hisses air from between his teeth at the last remark. Glancing at the Emperor for a fleeting moment it is hard to tell if the usually calm Chancellor has lost his patience.

He takes a moment before continuing.

My Lords, I would ask you to refrain from making comments about anything outside of the immediate topic. It will simply not advance this discussion in any positive fashion.

It is common ground that we must focus on.

If I can summarise, I believe that this "common ground" could be phrased as follows.

Steeling his gaze at both men, it is with a certain force of will that he makes the following statement.

The Basileus would pardon the Caesar for not following the law of the land. He would then sanction the wedding, therefore officially recognising the husband of the Caesar's daughter as part of the royal family.

In return the Caesar would apologies without reservations for breaching the law. He would do that in the Magnaura. He would then confine himself to his holding in Egypt at the pleasure of the Basileus.

Taking a moment he hold the gaze of the Caesar before turning to the Basileus.

In response, the Basileus would acknowledge that the events leading up to the civil war and the wedding itself could have been handled in a far better fashion, and the Basileus will endeavour to address his relationship with his vassals in the future in order to avoid such incidents from occurring again.

Apionnas pauses for a moment. It's clear to both mean and also the on looking Pavlos and Tiverios, that if there is no agreement here the next option will be far different.

My Lords,

I ask you to find common ground. Either my statement above of something else.

[Ituralde]

Pavlos nods slowly, although he winced slightly at the last paragraph of Apionnas.

[AussieGiant]

At this time rather than the usual lone eyebrow accompanying moments of interest or alarm, Apionnas looks at both men for a very long moment, seeing neither is prepared to speak he smashes his fists on the table in front of him.

To say the Varangian guards are surprised is an understatement.

More than a few swords are partially drawn at the aggressive and sudden movement of the Chancellor. Only the Captain's quick motion to hold prevents them rushing Apionnas as rage clearly fills his eyes.

Speaking quietly he seethes the following words.

Exactly what the £$%^$ do you two think you're accomplishing by sitting here with not a word to say for yourselves!!??

You're both a disgrace!!

Neither if you are providing leadership, inspiration or any other type of positive influence on this Empire!! Instead of shaking hands and getting on with governing the largest and most powerful Empire on this planet, you'd rather sit here festering in what you think are legitimate ideas of honour and principles!!

Well sadly gentlemen, if you keep this up your lasting legacy will be a pathetic inconsequential civil war in which nothing of note happened!!

In fact all you both will be remembered for is stunting and reducing the effectiveness of this Empire at a time in which glory, progress and expansion were within your collective grasp!!

If you both can not see this, then god help this Empire in the remaining few years of your respective lives.

If I was the ruler of another nation I would be doing everything in my power to find out how to make both of you immortal so that the Byzantine Empire can drag along two rulers that clearly have no concept of what it takes to lead, govern or otherwise inspire the nobility of Byzantium to great achievements!!

£$^%^ me!!

With that said Apionnas turns, picks up the chair he was sitting on and hurls it clear over the nearest guards and into the water some 100 feet below the cliff behind him.

Turning while departing towards the marquee he says;

Obviously my lords you can strip me of any position of office or privileged due to this outburst!!

Good luck watching the sun set!!

[Ituralde]

Pavlos smiles one of his rare smiles.