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.