The Royal Council

[The Celtic Viking]

Sitting on his throne, Basileus Philadelphos Ptolemaios raises his right hand in greetings.

"I'm saddened to hear of your retirement from the position of Chancellor, Eunostos Kypriakos. You have done an excellent job so far, one which has earned you your king's praise. If whoever succeeds you is only half as good as you, we shall have a bright future indeed.

Speaking of which, I will expect plenty of applicants for this job. Whether you wish to prove yourself or if you already have, feel free to nominate yourself, but it is not a position to take lightly. In the off chance that none shall wish to take it, I will, but I will not do so in any other case. I'd rather set up an incompetent fool and then impeach him than take it immediately. I am a busy man, after all.

Now, onwards and forwards. My son Euergetes Ptolemais has recently come of age and can now join us here in the Council. Treat him with the respect he deserves, for, as my eldest son, I now name him my heir and successor. Son, whether you choose to stay in Sidon and look after its defences when I've left, or if you instead make your way down to Alexandreia to make use of its knowledge and wisdom - all of it which is accessable to you - I leave up to you to decide. You may even invent the third option and go and do something completely different. I ask of you only three things; loyalty: to me, to the Council and to the gods. Fairness: to be fair and just in every action you take and every word you utter. Unwavering determination: to always do what needs to be done to uphold and expand upon the glory and greatness of the the kingdom and the gods. Uphold all three and you will have made me happy. Excell at them and you will have made me proud."

Philadelphos calls for an aide who runs up and hands over a paper before bowing low to Philadelphos. Without thanking the man, Philadelphos coughs.

"I have here in my hands the first edict of this emergency council."

Edict E1.1: Admiral Naukrates must immediately sail north and lift the blockade of Sidon's port.

As long as the port of Sidon is blockaded, I cannot get the supplies necessary to move my army into enemy territory. This would force me to stay on the defensive, which in turn would mean that Tarsos is sure to fall. That is not acceptable.

Edict E1.2: The Royal Army of the Heir, now outside of Memphis should make its way to relieve or reclaim Tarsos.

As I said, losing Tarsos is not acceptable, yet if I go that leaves Sidon defenceless, and Hierosolyma open to attack from Damaskos. If I go after them first, I will no doubt be too late to save Tarsos, and there's no telling if I even have enough men left. The only option then, as I see it right now, is to send the heir's army. Technically, this should mean that my son would have first right to command it, but I recommend you, my son, to let Leontiskos Thraikikos command if that is his will. You are, after all, still young and green, and this is not a time for screw ups. You could learn well from the former Kleronomos Basileus, who should know his former army very well.

Those are my initial proposals, and there is no need to second them. Please give your opinions of them anyway; I am open to all suggestions. I may change them or come up with new ones at a later time."