House of Asteri

[deguerra]

Harsh words from a man who just recently thanked me for continuing to help him and proclaiming he was not worthy of my continued support.

I have been accused of much Hypatios, but power hunger hasn't yet been an issue. I took over from Kosmas rather unwillingly and at his own request. I had never expected to lead and believed then and still believe I am not half as good at it as he was. But I try my best.

Likewise, marrying my lovely wife, a decision I have not regretted for a second, was not some sort of long-term plan of seizing power but merely an opportunity that arose when I took over Asteri. I suppose I can be accused of opportunism. That would be more accurate.

Expelling you, however, was no opportunism. It is quite true that you had challenged my authority on quite a few occasions, but let me expand. You agreed on the incorporation of Markianos Ampelas into the House and then get angry about it later. Likewise, you agreed on our military plan for Anatalia and then vented your anger about it being implemented. Throughout your tenure your criticisms were seldom constructive and never civil. But that is not why you were expelled.

You were expelled, as I stated in the Senate, because you made House Asteri look stupid, unable to control its own members and willing to sacrifice thousands for some member's personal agendas. That could not stand then, and will not stand so long as I am in Asteri.

You may remember, however, that far from exerting my whole influence to hurt you, I allowed you to keep Rhodes, did not seek further action against you in the Senate for your breaking the law and agreed to support you in whatever endeavour you chose for your future.

However, I suppose I should thank you for this latest criticism as it is by far your most constructive. I wish this to be known to all members of House Asteri:

I do not want to lead without your support and I do not wish to lead a House of followers. I have tried hard to take on board any criticisms that have come forward thus far and will continue to do so, and I encourage you to vent them at me. I also encourage you, as I have told you all before, to conduct yourselves by your own accord. You need not vote as I do, speak as I do in the Senate and do as I do away from it. All I ask is that you keep in mind the interests of the House as you do so. Finally, if my leadership has become inacceptable to you, I will hand over my duties to Markianos Ampelas.

I do hope to have dispelled some of your fears and worries with this, but I am free to be contacted at any time, by any one of you on any issue.

Ioannis

[rossahh]

Harsh words indeed, Hypatios. Long did I serve you dutifully, keeping everything in order while you campaigned for the good of the house, the empire, and most of all yourself. I more than anyone know that harsh measures were needed in Anatolia - having long fought the Turks I saw that there was no hope of a peaceful coexsistance, it was either us or them - but you went too far. We had always seized the property of the vanquished and evicted the resident Turks from each settlement we took, and while there while resistance, there was never wholesale slaughter. Yet at their capital you gave your orders and they were wrong. I could not stand by you after Iconium and my loyalty to you wavered. I still remained loyal to the house and to the empire and I chose the Empire over you, Hypatios.

Get over it.

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