The Magnaura

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

In all seriousness, my master and I would like to know how many priests were sent to the city ahead of time in an effort to convert the populace to Orthodoxy, or, barring that, if there were any priests in the general area. A response from the Caesar is preferred, but any man who has the answer will be appreciated if they give it.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios's scribe looks some papers in front of him and then raises..

Our records are showing that there were no priest recruited and there were no priest sent to Egypt!

Scribe sits down to his seat and starts working with his papers once again..

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

Right, I was afraid of that.

*Motioning for one of his messengers, the Representative quickly jots down some words and presses the paper into the messenger's hand. He watches as the messenger departs, in the direction of the Offices of the Patriarch.*

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios looks at the Patriarchal Representative.

First off, I'd like to welcome you back to the proceedings. As you can see from the transcripts, many men have been invoking God's will in here and it is nice to have someone who can speak with some authority on such matters.

Second the Edict which would have mandated that priests be sent to Egypt, ironically proposed by Hypatios, failed. The voting is a matter of public record so there is no secret as to who was against sending priests to Egypt.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

*snatching a paper back from the messenger and reading it twice before speaking:*

Right, religiously, the man is on very thin ice. In a time when His Eminence has called a Crusade on the Mohammedan heretics because of (and I now invoke his words) "the Caliph's total disregard for... human life" it would not do well to commit the very atrocity we are punishing others for. In reading over the Magnaura transcripts it appears that Senator Machonios has zero regret for what he has done; zero remorse. However, His Eminence has not found the man to be completely lacking in faith, considering the complimentary Crusade Edict he proposed that the Grandmaster has so kindly pointed out.

However, what incenses myself and my master at the moment is not the lack of priests being sent to Egypt (which, interestingly enough, the Basileus did not see fit to support), but to Anatolia. His Eminence, in his wisdom, has written many times of the need to first convert the populace before any military action is to be undertaken. Were his suggestions followed, then there would have been no need to take such radical measures after conquering the city in question. I sincerely hope that in the next Magnaura Session, most Senators will demonstrate the same capacity for hindsight and making sure the same mistake is not made twice that my master has shown for foresight.

His Eminence is, if nothing else, a practical man, especially in these times of little faith. He is doing his very best to keep his field of expertise separate from matters of politics, despite what some overly paranoid members of this body assert. He is little concerned with Hypatios Machonios's political punishment, but there are religious undertones to this matter as well, unfortunately.

In short, His Eminence Nicholas III requests that Hypatios Machonios repent his sins, most notably the extermination of Iconium. He may do so in any matter he chooses, including writing, so long as it is witnessed by a representative of the Office of the Patriarch. As for the political consequences, do as you wish. I am but a liaison.

[deguerra]

During a brief lull in the general proceedings, the door to the Senate opens quietly and Strator Kalameteros enters the room. Without a look to his side he walks slowly but purposefully to the middle of the Senate floor and stands, pausing for dramatic effect and complete silence. When he is sure he has the Senate's undivided attention, he begins to speak in a quiet but firm voice.

I stand before you today a broken man. Broken, because those who I trusted and those who I considered friends have misused the friendship and trust placed in them. Broken, because I cannot and will not disavow myself of the indiscriminate, unprovoked and unacceptable butchery and slaughter that occurred in the fine city of Iconium, carried out by an army under my command. Broken, because I am complicit in the murder of over six thousand men, women and children.

Hypatios Machonios, who stands before you to defend the indefensible is the reason I stand broken.

He has made my House, House Asteri, look ridiculous to the Basileos and to the public of the Empire, giving Strator Methodios Tagaris the dubious right to speak of dangerous trends in our House.

He has disobeyed orders on how to lead the armies of this House. He has violated a principle expressed by this Senate and a principle that I hold dear.

He has forced me to accept responsibility for actions of which I had no knowledge or control and forced me to sleep at night with the thought that had I been more wary, I could have saved six thousand lives.

Finally, he has undermined me personally by associating with an organisation that has sought the active destruction of the Empire of Rome and this Senate, its governing body and an organisation that has threatened my dear wife, the Basileos' daughter, myself and our children. And he himself has repeatedly insulted and threatened my wife when she bravely confronted him about his actions.

I cannot and will not work with a man whom I cannot trust and who I do not respect. I refuse to have the House I lead associate with that man.

I therefore ask, publicly, that Markianos Ameplas refuse Hypatios Machonios' oath of loyalty and that Zigavinos Vasilakios revoke his oath of loyalty to him.

That is my judgment, it is the whole of my judgment and it is final.

The only other thing I ask is that Hypatios Machonios stands question and answer to this Senate on the topic of this organisation I mentioned earlier.

I believe this organisation to be a credible threat to the internal security of the Empire and to the safety of the Empire's representatives, and I would like to launch an official Senate inquiry into its sources, its aims and how it can be stopped.

[Privateerkev]

*edit*

OOC: nothing to see here.

I posted something asking where Kalameteros was not knowing that deguerra was posting at that moment.

[deguerra]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

spoke too soon, sucker

[ULC]

Iakovos stands up.

"The Grandmaster and I too have had some experience with this..."Organization"...as well. We know of at least one dissenting member, but she is believed to be lost at Iconium. May I ask this august body to go to Iconium and search her out, to see if she still lives?"

[Privateerkev]

Without letting his expression show emotion, Makedonios quietly writes a note and passes it to Iakovos.

[deguerra]

Ioannis raises an eyebrow at Iakovos' words and gets up

My dear Iakovos, I think it best you remain here should this inquiry take place for reasons we both know quite well. I would prefer, if anyone, a more neutral party going to Iconium. Which is still an Asteri city, or what is left of it.

But if you let me know whom to look out for, I am sure my men can find her, if she is still alive. Those of my men I can trust anyway.

[ULC]

Iakovos stares at Ioannis

"Excuse me? I threatened Hypatios with death, and you think it best I stay here for the inquiry for "reasons we both know" ? Please, speak more plainly. If you think I would take Iconium for the Order, then I would prefer that you say so and not imply anything about my honor."

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios raised an eyebrow at Iakovos's comments. He speaks to him quietly.

I highly doubt that was what Kalameteros meant. And no one was impugned your honor.

[deguerra]

I implied nothing about your honour, and would never suggest that the Order would seek to take settlements belonging to Asteri.

What I speak of is the fact that your brother, Aleksander, was identified to me as a member of the very organisation I seek to inquire into.

As such, you yourself can hardly be considered a neutral party for purposes of this investigation, and I would prefer it if you remained here.

The fact that you threatened Strator Hypatios shows nothing other than your cloudy judgment with regards to making threats to men who are members of the Senate of the Roman Empire.

Now, if you have information regarding the whereabouts of someone vital to this inquiry, I would suggest you divulge them to the Senate or at the very least be silent if you choose to keep us in the dark.

[ULC]

Iakovos is shocked at Iaonnis's words, and almost at a loss for his own.

"Hard...hardly neutral? I assure you, at this point, I would bring my own brother to justice for the atrocities that have been committed in the name of this Organization."

EDIT: deg! Your to fast for us

[OverKnight]

Aleksios nods at Ioannis Kalameteros.

I accept the judgement of Senator Kalameteros concerning Hypatios Machonios. Being expelled from the Asteri seems a fitting punishment for his violation of an Edict and indiscriminate slaughter.

I appreaciate the sacrifice that my son-in-law has made, and consider this matter closed.

Aleksios pauses and speaks again.

As for the matter of the "Organization". . .

The Basileus sighs.

I can't make heads or tails of their motivations or goals. All I know is that they must be the worse "Secret Society" in all of history, as we are discussing them in the open and they only seem to be good at killing their own members. Most likely they are a bunch of amatuers who dress in black cloaks and plot in dark corners to make themselves feel important, though they accomplish little.

I can't understand the appeal myself.

[deguerra]

Ioannis nods his head in appreciation at the comments of the Basileos

Neither can I, sire, but the appeal seems to be there. Sadly, even an amateur with a knife can be dangerous.

As for you, Iakovos, I do not wish to doubt your sincerity, but you must admit you hardly seem like the ideal neutral party.

Now will we hear of your information or not?

[ULC]

Iakovos stands firm.

"All I know is what the woman told me, and that was that at the time of her assignment to watch over the Grandmaster, the Organization was going through internal trouble and that for security reasons for Organization saw the Grandmaster as the most receptive candidate, and one other which contact had been made a few years prior."

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios nods.

I fear few of us know much of this group. I have personally been contacted by someone who claimed to work for them. She is the same one that is now lost somewhere in Iconium. I've also been attacked by these people, or at least a faction of this group. And I know this group has caused the Princess and her family no end of trouble.

Beyond that, I fear I know little. But it is clear that, amateurs or not, at least some of them are quite insistent in working against us.

[deguerra]

A messenger arrives, giving Ioannis a note. He reads it and gets up to speak.

I have been notified of the whereabouts of the woman of whom Iakovos speaks in Iconium. I have dispatched men to bring her before this body with utmost urgency.

Strators, we will get to the bottom of this organisation, but I ask that anyone who knows any more of these matters speak up now. I for myself assure that I will seek no action against anyone who tells us of any contact or association with these men they may have had in the past.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios gets up and address Ioannis.

I've already sent my gratitude to you through a letter but I will publicly thank you for your assistance with this matter.

He turns to address the Senate.

I would like to talk about Hypatios again. I know His Highness has declared the matter of Hypatios's punishment to be closed. Makedonios gives a nod to the Emperor.

But this is more the offer of an opportunity. And I didn't want to give it in a letter because I wanted this matter out in the open.

I officially invite Hypatios to come to the Holy Land and swear an oath to me. The Levant has always been considered the place where people come to earn forgiveness. And I believe it could serve this purpose for Hypatios if he so chose.

Rest assured, he would not govern a settlement or command an army for quite some time. He would simply serve in my army where I would keep an eye on him.

For this offer to be valid, I will require two things from Comes Hypatios and they are not negotiable.

1.) He will be required to do what His Eminence has asked him to do.

2.) He will be required to hand over Rhodes to Kalameteros.

If both of these requirements are met, then Hypatios is welcome to come to the Levant if he is truly serious about saving his soul. This is the first time one of our fellow nobles has 'erred' so badly. And while his actions were reprehensible, our Faith does speak of redemption. Since he has turned over custody of the woman he had captured, I do believe redemption is possible.

[Ferret]

I thank you for the offer Makedonios but I will not accept it, Rhodes is too important to me for that. I have however offered myself as a servant to the Patriarch, to earn forgiveness for my sins by doing God's work, that is, if the Patriarch believes I have sinned.

And just to be clear, I never captured that woman, the organisation did and gave her to me. I treated her fairly and asked questions on the organisation but she knew little, or wouldn't tell me much anyway. She was never treated as a prisoner and was free to do as she pleased. I may not give mercy to the infidel and enemies of our state but I do care for our citizens.

[Privateerkev]

For the first time in these whole proceedings, Makedonios addresses Hypatios directly.

I'm not sure how penance will come about without sacrifice but so be it. I wish you luck in seeking it and I will pray for you.

As to the woman, I am glad to hear it. My men had intercepted a letter meant for Iakovos that claimed you made the woman available to your whole army for 'recreational' purposes. I am happy to hear their claims were wrong.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios's scribe keeps writing and writing... sometimes he mumbles something and disturbes people near him with that but most of the time he writes everything that has been said ..

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

For the record, I confirm what Hypatios Machonios has said about seeking penance. His Eminence is currently in the process of determining where to go next.

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis Komnenos angrily faces the Patriarchal Representative.

His Eminence must surely be uniformed. There are currently 9 priest and 1 bishop in Anatolia. Surely His Eminence must have received incorrect reports.

Ioannis resumes his seat.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

And how many of them are in Iconium at this moment? How many of them were in Iconium when it was assaulted? Before it was assaulted? This was a planned assault, was it not?

[Andres]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Makedonios gets up and address Ioannis.

I've already sent my gratitude to you through a letter but I will publicly thank you for your assistance with this matter.

He turns to address the Senate.

I would like to talk about Hypatios again. I know His Highness has declared the matter of Hypatios's punishment to be closed. Makedonios gives a nod to the Emperor.

But this is more the offer of an opportunity. And I didn't want to give it in a letter because I wanted this matter out in the open.

I officially invite Hypatios to come to the Holy Land and swear an oath to me. The Levant has always been considered the place where people come to earn forgiveness. And I believe it could serve this purpose for Hypatios if he so chose.

Rest assured, he would not govern a settlement or command an army for quite some time. He would simply serve in my army where I would keep an eye on him.

For this offer to be valid, I will require two things from Comes Hypatios and they are not negotiable.

1.) He will be required to do what His Eminence has asked him to do.

2.) He will be required to hand over Rhodes to Kalameteros.

If both of these requirements are met, then Hypatios is welcome to come to the Levant if he is truly serious about saving his soul. This is the first time one of our fellow nobles has 'erred' so badly. And while his actions were reprehensible, our Faith does speak of redemption. Since he has turned over custody of the woman he had captured, I do believe redemption is possible.

I see that the vulptures are already there...

Really Makedonios, you give a nice and sincere sounding explanation, but you are just trying to seize an opportunity here.

You disappoint me, but I appreciate that you have shown your real face in this body.

Savvas sits down, muttering something about hypocrite power hungry religious nutjobs.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios replies with a tired and bored look.

Comes Savvas,

Are you still that sore about being called an idiot?

I ask exactly what opportunity I was trying to sieze. While the point is now quite moot, my offer would have required Hypatios to hand over his province first. And the time when you can claim to discern my motives will be the time when pigs fly.

For someone who pretends to be jovial all the time, you certainly hold long grudges and spend an awful lot of time looking for cheapshots. I see supporting you for Megas did little to change your disposition. You are by far the crankiest jovial person I ever have met.

Goes back to reading reports.

[Andres]

Savvas bursts out in in laughter.

I'll make you a similar offer: give me all your provinces and make all your vassals join House Tagamata and all your sins will be forgiven...

Grandmaster, I apologise for having called a spade a spade.