The Magnaura

[deguerra]

Ioannis once again enters the Senate and starts in a quiet voice

If it was not obvious, the letter the Grandmaster presented was sent to myself. If anyone would like to question its origin, do so now.

His expression becomes weary

Presenting it here is a breach of trust to Caesar Ioannis, and for that I am sorry. The letter was obviously in confidence. Ioannis is my brother and I love him. But I fear he has become misguided.

Perhaps there were better ways of dealing with the situation. To be perfectly honest, I was shocked by the proposal. Shocked for several reasons.

First, because the Caesar is promulgating Civil War. This ought to be obvious enough.

Second, because the Caesar is asking me to make assurances and deals over settlements that I have no personal control over, but which are owned by my vassals. The assumption that I could deal with them as I pleases annoyed me.

Thirdly, because the Caesar included settlements belonging to Senators not aligned with the natural opponents in any civil war.

Lastly, because of the far-reaching, and quite frankly extortionate powers promulgated in the last point.

Perhaps, in my shock, my action will be viewed as rash with hindsight. Perhaps it will cost me and mine dearly. But I have always respected the power of this august body, and I could not stand by without the Senate having seen this.

I have made my opinions on the Empire very clear during the last election. I strongly believe in them, and I am certain they are the way forward.

The Caesar's proposal went against everything I stated in those opinions. I suppose, in that way, my reaction should come as no surprise.

My allegiance remains to the Basileos, who as far as I am aware had no knowledge of this, and to the Empire.

Two more things must be said.

The first concerns Pavlos Chrysovergos' reply. Pavlos was the other recipient of this letter, the only other recipient I know of.

His reply was passed on to me by the Caesar as "favourable". However, this is inaccurate. Pavlos stated his opposition to civil war. While acknowledging his dislike of the Order, and the rewards a war against them might bring, he remained opposed to that idea. The only favourable response he gave was that he agreed that cooperation in voting power between the Komnenodouaki and Asteri and the Basileos was important and a "pillar of power in the years to come." He concluded with saying that while he would join in this power, anything further was beyond consideration at the moment.

I therefore form the opinion that this is not an favourable agreement, that Pavlos gave no clear intention to join in this scheme and that the only thing we should hold against him is that he did not disclose the scheme, which can be forgiven, I think, considering the Caesar is his Lord.

The second then, obviously concerns the Caesar.

To be perfectly frank I do not know what should be done.

The judicial powers of this Senate have been sorely lacking in the past. I was up to me to punish Hypatios, rule-breaking went unheeded and it seems unlikely Methodios will answer for Alexandria. I hate to say it, but somebody must, as a court of law we have failed miserably.

There are then, two options. Either we, as the Senate, come to our collective senses and decide together what is best as a reaction. It is time this body futhfill its function as a court, and what better case to start us off than this. If it is necessary, I will call an Emergency Senate Session to make this happen.

The other is that we ask the Basileos, who has proved somewhat reluctant in the past, if I may say so, or make our own individual judgments which will result in nothing but ridiculous outcomes.

It should be obvious which I prefer.

[Privateerkev]

I've spoken at length about the Caesar so I will set that aside for the moment.

I wish to make Methodios an offer. Cairo is a powder keg right now. His skill as a governor is well known. If he agrees to govern Cairo, it might help minimize the riots that are inevitable.

See, the Order followed the law and occupied the great city. If Methodios helps us out, it would go a long way towards atoning for sacking Alexandria.

I will make clear that I am considering moving Methodios's army into Cairo whether he agrees or not. Cairo has very little public order right now and we will need every soldier we can get. But if he agrees to come in himself, and govern, it would help.

Because Alexandria is itself in need of more order, I have already arranged for assistance. Efstathios has selflessly agreed to help Annios maintain order in Alexandria while Methodios helps us in Cairo.

If the men in Egypt are going to succeed, they will need to work together. So, I have no problem rewarding the Crusaders who work together and punishing the ones who won't.

Since this body has refused to try the Caesar for breaking the Rules, and has basically given Hypatios a slap on the wrist for exterminating two settlements, I will ask that the issue on Methodios be closed if he takes my deal. I assure you he will take governing someone else's settlement as punishment...

[flyd]

Having arrived several hours ago to make a statement about the civil war issue, Isaakios Komnenos has finally gotten around to it. Or he might put it off some more. It doesn't seem critical that he should make his point right now. But he might as well. Alright, alright, he stands to make his statement.

It saddens me to see that civil war is still seen as a viable option by which to pursue political goals, even though the turmoil it brings has been well documented throughout history. There should be no issue that cannot be solved within the framework of our charter, and power should only be gained at the expense of our enemies. By 'enemies' I mean external enemies, but I should not even need to specify that, as those are the only enemies we should have.

Caesar Ioannis has erred, there is no doubt. Still, his thoughts (to call them 'plans' would be too much) are the only ones that have been made public. I would guess that many Senators consider or have considered civil war a valid solution for something: if you try to claim that in the discussions with your allies you have never uttered the phrase, "if that happens, we will have to declare war," then you are lying. And 'have to' declare war is just a poorly disguised equivalent of 'want to', because as I've said, there should be no issue that cannot be solved peacefully. The legislative power of this body is limitless and unchecked, but it requires cooperation of multiple Senators: as it should be. Whoever you are, you are not important enough to set policy by yourself, and certainly have no moral right to do it by force.

The time has come to renounce civil war as a political instrument. I call upon all the Senators who care about the stability and prosperity of the Empire more than their personal gain to formally declare the following:

1. I will never initiate a civil war, for any reason.
2. If one of my superiors initiates a civil war, I will declare Neutrality per Rule 5.3.
3. If one of my subordinates initiates a civil war, I will not support him.
4. I will support measures to bring those who initiate a civil war to legislative justice.

For my part, I make these declarations, and ask all other Senators loyal to the Empire to do the same, so that all others show their true colors.

Having done a whole three minutes of speech-giving, Isaakios is relieved to sit down.

[OverKnight]

The Basileus has been deep in thought, ignoring the chaos around him. Suddenly he stands, a grim look on his face. His stony gaze settles on the Patriarchal Represenative.

It is past time that I talked with your Master. Let us go see him, you can make the introductions.

Aleksios signals to the Varangians.

Guards, seize him. We're going for a walk.

The Patriarchal Represenative feebly protests as he is forcibly removed from the chamber. The Basileus follows him out of the Senate.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

Ack! Unhand me, you damned, dirty apes! Executive abuse! Executive abuse!

*The Representative's further cries are muted as he is dragged off.*

[pevergreen]

Michail's face has gone white at the news he is given after coming the Magnaura.

"Perhaps I have chosen the wrong House..."

[Kagemusha]

Kantakouzinos says with a cold voice without hint of emotion.

"I would surely also like to hear what Caesar has to say about this letter. The letter sounds like treason from the heir of the throne and malicious towards both the senate and individual senators, including some of Komnenodoukai. I support strong central government, but not tyranny."

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios raises..
Isaakios, that is a good proposal. And I agree with those points.
So I declare the following:

1. I will never initiate a civil war, for any reason.
2. If one of my superiors initiates a civil war, I will declare Neutrality per Rule 5.3.
3. If one of my subordinates initiates a civil war, I will not support him.
4. I will support measures to bring those who initiate a civil war to legislative justice.

It's good to see that the younger sons of the Basileus are much more reasonable and looks like more chivalrous too than the eldest one. Perhaps the power is changing people and making them mad?

He smiles and nods towards Isaakios and Andronikos..

[Dafuge]

My scribe has just filled me in on what has happened. I am shocked. Anyway I would like to welcome myself to the Royal family. I hope we can be civil together.

[Motep]

(I left...)

Anronikos reentered the room, his face red, and his right hand dripping with blood. He took his seat, wiped off his hand, and, wincing, looked through his sheaf of papers.

[Kagemusha]

"I would like to apologize Megas of my clumsy orders, that forced his hands to destroy the fortress from my domain. In other context thou, i would like to thank him for thinking of quality of my private army and providing me with better archers i currently have. I have left the peasant archers behind, so the coffers of the Empire wont be emptied because of spending for my army. Also i would like to raise the issue that my feudal masters, Pavlos Chrysovergos private army is sorely lacking in troops, because the garrison of Yerevan has to have now more troops to compensate from the loss of the strategic fort in my domain."

[Ibn-Khaldun]

A message is brought to Magnaura..

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[OverKnight]

Aleksios enters the Magnaur.

It is a sad day for us. Senator Laskaris gave his life for what he believed in: service to God and the Empire.

[Privateerkev]

Ioannis Kantakouzinos,

You have deliberately broken our laws when you moved that cavalry. I have sent my agents to the unit and issued them their discharge papers. They are now gone. I have also moved the archers into your army. Your army is now up to code.

But I will bring consequences upon you for breaking the law.

Makedonios hears of Efstathios's death.

I'd like to give my heartfelt condolences to House Asteri.

May Efstathios rest in peace.

[_Tristan_]

Methodios rises, his face bearing a mourning look.

A sad day indeed, the sands of Alexandria have known their fair share of Greek blood tese past years...

Laskaris' life may not have been for the best, but at least he knew how to die...

Turning to Annios Solomon

Avenge Laskaris...

I know he was no friend of yours but he died doing something just and true and died a true warrior's death...

Show these brigands what it costs to defy the power of the Empire.

Bring them down.

[Kagemusha]

Ioannis Kantakouzinos,

You have deliberately broken our laws when you moved that cavalry. I have sent my agents to the unit and issued them their discharge papers. They are now gone. I have also moved the archers into your army. Your army is now up to code.

But I will bring consequences upon you for breaking the law.

Makedonios hears of Efstathios's death.

I'd like to give my heartfelt condolences to House Asteri.

May Efstathios rest in peace.

"You gave clear permission to move those archers and you cant seize anything from my army.Im not braking any rules.So dont cry now when you get your own medicine.And what about Pavlos Chrysovergos army.Its lacking both cavalry and archers?"

[Privateerkev]

Those Alan Cav were not yours to move. I legally reclaimed them. I recruited a replacement.

As for Pavlos's army, I will talk to him about it. You will not be involved and it is quite simply none of your concern.

For breaking the rules, I will bring consequences on you. If you keep it up, I will extend those consequences to your vassals until they leave you.

[OverKnight]

The Basileus stands.

There are important matters of Justice to attend to within the Empire that will not wait until the end of the term. Therefore I am declaring an Emergency Session of the Senate open. The exact length of the Session I will leave to the Protoasecretes.

First, I must deal with the regretful letter sent by my son, Ioannis, proposing a move against the Order of St. John and a realignment of the Empire. While a letter is not a declaration of Civil War and certainly not a violent act in itself, it shows extremely poor judgement. There must be repercussions.

Therefore I propose:

Charter Amendment E2.1: Clause (11) under the powers of the Basileus in the Charter will be amended to read as follows (changes in bold):

(11) Once during his reign, the Basileus may automatically assume the post of Megas Logothetes. The Basileus must declare he is exercising that right at a Senate session; he will then be appointed Megas Logothetes with no election. This right can only be invoked once, but the Basileus may also compete in normal Megas Logothetes elections at other Senate Sessions. However, Ioannis Komnenos (OOC: Family tree spot 2.1) is barred from automatically assuming the post of Megas Logothetes.

This will prevent my heir from pursuing his proposal. If he wishes to become Megas Logothetes again, he must do so with the support of the Senate. To accomplish this he will have to show qualities of cooperation and compromise, something at odds with his present behavior. In short he will have to earn a position of leadership. I hope this will allow him to become a better ruler.

If the Senate wishes to pursue other matters of Justice, they may do so. I have heard complaints bandied about concerning the actions of various Senators, now is the time to make your case. However please do so in a respectful manner. (OOC: This isn't a Session for massive rule changes, TC will address those during the next regular Session.)

Aleksios pauses and then speaks more quietly.

I will also be addressing the future of the Patriarch of Alexandria later in the Session.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios was busy reading various letters when the Emperor started speaking. Stunned by the news, the normally vocal Grandmaster just sits there. He can not believe what he had just heard. He tries to think of something to say. He thinks water might help. He reaches over to grab his cup. Cool and refreshing, he takes a long pull. His mouth wetted, he tries again to think of what to say. Nothing of worth comes to mind. Everyone already knows what he thinks. For once, talking probably wouldn't help anything.

Makedonios sits at the table silently. If the Emperor glances in his direction, the Megas gives him a subtle, but grateful, nod.

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos is suitably awestruck by the annoncement. Let's out a very quite, appreciative whistle.

[ULC]

Nikolaos, having been stirred from his slumber a while ago by the constant banter, turns back to his flask. As he takes another sip from it, he raises it towards the Basileus.

"To Aleksios the Great!"

Nikolaos looks to the other senators.

"I am deeply sorry for my rather late announcement, seems my trip left me rather tired. I am Nikolaos Aristenos, and I am here from the great city of Kiev, by Imperial request, to help further cement our two great nations together! I do hope you all received the presents I sent for you and your families, courtesy of the Royal Court back home!"

Nikolaos takes another swing from his flask. I second CA E2.1!

[Ramses II CP]

Vissarionas ek Lesvou once more enters the Senate chamber. Yet again he is dressed in travel stained garmets, boots covered in old mud, and he enters with none of the pomp the more prominent members of the Magnaura display. Still, many notice him, and a whispered conference breaks out amongst the scribes, though it is quickly shushed by one of the white haired senior men among them.

Vissa strides through the chamber without looking left or right to see who is present; his eyes are fixed on the Basileus alone. As he moves closer, into the better lit region near the center, many begin to note that his hair is wild, and his normally neat goatee has grown out into a very ugly and unkempt beard. The somewhat absurd looking cap he always wears to cover the scar on the top of his head is loose, and dead white twists of scar tissue show unpleasantly around the edges.

The closer he gets to the Emperor the more nervous some members of the senate grow, but there is no menace in Vissa's face. In fact his visage is uncomfortably empty of any expression, and his gaze is utterly devoid of emotion. He looks simply blank, disinterested, and yet he travelled a very great distance to be here and logically must have something to say.

Three paces from the Emperor Vissa stops abruptly and lowers his eyes before sinking to both knees like a supplicant before a priest. In a quiet, emotionless voice which carries well enough through the chamber to be heard by all he says,

'Basileus Komnenos I ask your pardon if letters received and read publically in this body in my name gave you any offense. I could see no other way to call attention to what I believed to be a deadly danger to our very existence, a danger I did not imagine you could see.'

'I was wrong.'

Without waiting for a reply Vissarionas then stands and speaks more loudly, addressing the whole Magnaura, though without any more expression in his voice,

'You should hear it directly from a man who was there, the Crusade is complete. Cairo is taken, but there were no Christians left there to save, God rest their souls. The Sultan, whose signet ring and seal I now present to our Emperor, is dead and his capital occupied.'

Of course the ring is, in truth, newly minted, the previous Sultan having lost his on jihad near Antioch, and of little enough value in itself, but the symbolic power of the presentation is only undermined by Vissa's relentlessly inflectionless tone.

'Better news of the Holy Sites near Cairo. Though some few fools made casual attempts to desecrate them there was no concerted effort to destroy them, no doubt because of the jihad, and my men are even now restoring them so that they are suitable for visits by the faithful on pilgrimage. Praise God that he preserved these most holy places for us.'

The last, which should have had some sort of emphasis, came out sounding quite hollow instead. Slowly Vissa begins to make his way towards the Order table in the chamber, but quite suddenly he turns back to address the body once more, and for the first time a tiny edge of impact has crept into his voice.

'I hereby second Charter Amendment E2.1! God save the Emperor, and God save the Roman Empire!'

Then, with a visibly disjointed gait, Vissa strides the rest of the way to the Order table and collapses into a seat.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios nods his head at Vissarionas.

How could I be angry at someone so skilled with pen and word?

He speaks in a more serious tone.

I welcome all the Crusaders back to the capital, and salute the fallen among them. Take your ease while in the city.

[TinCow]

The Protoasecretes taps his staff on the ground.

"I have been informed that Ioannis Komnenos has been delayed and will not arrive at the Magnaura until sometime tomorrow at the earliest. Accordingly, this Senate session will be extended to provide him with an opportunity to speak in his own defense."

"The Senate floor will remain open for debate and new legislation until Monday, September 1 at 20:00 GMT. A further 24 hours of debate may be allowed beyond that point if it is needed."

[OverKnight]

Harald Sigurdson, Captain of the Varangian Guard, walks up to the Basileus, who is seated on the Throne, and whispers something in his ear. Aleksios glances up sharply at him and grimly nods his head. He speaks quietly to Harald, but what he says can be overheard:

Double the guard then, loyal men, do you understand?

Harald nods, bows and strides off. Soon enough, more Varangians can be seen entering the Magnaura, ringing the chamber.

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas deposits a number of weapons at the Magnaura doors. The Varangian Guards are being especially diligent, the tension in the air is palpable.

He bows to the Basileus, they exchange some words privately before he takes a seat behind Aleksios.

[GeneralHankerchief]

*Four figures stride into the Magnaura. Three of them are clothed identically, in hooded robes. They are leading and flanking the fourth figure, who enters last. His attire is different than the rest, wearing majestic, if somewhat dirtied, robes and no hood. He sports a long beard, the common symbol of one who is a part of the clergy. It is clear that this man is a high-ranking Orthodox figure, but none of the Senators have ever seen him before. He and his three hooded guards make their way to the center of the Magnaura, where the bearded clergyman clears his throat and begins to speak. The guards respectfully stand off to the side.*

Patriarch Nicholas III:

It has become clear to me that my Representative is no longer welcome in this chamber, having been thrown out twice, the second time rather literally. Hence, I am finally making my much-requested appearance in person. Know that, however, the expulsion of my Representative was not a factor in this. I am here because I need to be, not because I was demanded to be. I exist at the call of no one aside from the Lord and His Son. There are several things that need addressing. Hopefully by my presence here they will finally be addressed.

For too long, Orthodoxy has taken too many punches. Senators, faith is one of the few things in life to be taken with the utmost seriousness. I have seen faith disregarded when it is no longer convenient or efficient in the means of governance. I have seen the most Holy Crusade treated as nothing more than a race, a land grab by some of its participants. Most disturbingly, I have seen faith mistaken as a threat for power, a tool to be used to gain further dominance. There have been subtle efforts to undermine faith in attempts to gain supreme, secular power by those who have desired such.

I will not speak of such efforts in here, most notably the Caesar's plot to destroy the pious Order of St. John, for they have already been discussed at length. The time for discussion is over. The time for action... is here.

Now, the Basileus's proposed Charter Amendment denying his son the right to automatically assume the position of Megas is commendable... but is it enough? I ask you, Senators, is one step in the right direction enough to overcome a lifetime of wrongness?

We all draw periously closer to civil war. It would be disastrous, for all that it would achieve are Orthodox souls destroying other Orthodox souls, prompting the unSaved to move in and destroy us. The Mohammedans... the Catholics... they would stop at nothing to attack us and seize our lands, and then, my Sons, the shining light of the world, the One True Faith, would be obliterated, and the last hope for Mankind would be destroyed. Satan and his pestilence lie close.

There is one man who has led us down this path, Senators. One man who has contributed more than anybody to the division and hatred present not only in these chambers, but on our lands, our farms, our churches, our battlefields. One man who has put us all at risk, one man who I have written at length about, one man who seeks to increase his own power at any cost: thousands upon thousands of innocent lives.

Senators, that one man is present in these very chambers! No, not the Caesar; the Caesar is but a tool, a continuation of the policies of division and power-grabbing this man has set forth. This man has been running amok and unchecked for far too long, and it stops today. I hereby give you... the enemy of all Orthodoxy!

*The Patriarch reaches into his robes and pulls out a brilliant dagger with a flawless ruby, holding it high in the air. Everybody gasps. The Basileus is close by, and there might not be enough time to intercept an assassination attempt. Everyone can only watch as the Patriarch brings the dagger down, and, not moving, points it...

...

...at his hooded Patriarchal guards.*

[OverKnight]

Aleksios stands as the Patriarch speaks. As soon as he sees the dagger pointed at the Patriarchal escort he springs into action.

Guards! Seize them!

Varangians, weapons drawn, surround and subdue the escort. At the same time, obviously prearranged, Varangians flank and subdue Aleksander ek Kallipoleos. After the men are all taken, Aleksios speaks again.

Remove the hoods of the Patriarch's escort.

It is done. As they are unmasked, the Basileus looks at the Patriarch for confirmation, who points at one of the men. The Basileus speaks to the man.

Welcome to the Magnaura. . .Symeon.

The Basileus turns to speak to the Senate.

I apologize for the ruse, but the Patriarch and I thought it necessary to bring the Organization and their Master out into the light. For you see, they are the true threat to the Empire: Whispers in ears, knives in the dark and foul treachery. They eat away at Church and State. Only together, acting in secret with a public face of acrimony, could the Patriarch and I lure them into a trap. I can assure you that there is no true conflict between myself and his Eminence.

If paying very close attention, one would think Aleksios sounded a bit glib with that last statement.

In fact, the position of Patriarch of Constantinople is still open. I can now announce that the Synod has chosen a new Patriarch, Nicholas III himself. Having completed his service to Alexandria, I welcome him back to his old position.

The Basileus dips his head to the Patriarch.

When I called this Emergency Session, I said there were matters of Justice to attend to, the removal of the Organization from the Empire is one of them. Therefore I propose the following:

Edict E2.1: The Secret Society know as the Organization is to be destroyed in accordance with the Patriarchal Proclamation of 1125. Aleksander ek Kallipoleos will be exiled from the Empire. Veronica ek Kallipoleos and her children will be given Imperial protection or funds enough to sustain themselves outside the Empire if they so choose. All other agents are to be killed.

Proposed: Basileus Aleksios and Patriarch Nicholas III

With this Edict, and with what the Patriarch and I have discovered about the Organization, we can crush them. Aleksander has served me, perhaps not as he envisioned, but for this he will be spared. Lady Veronica and her children I will protect as part of a promise I made. Other agents, past or present, of the Organization will be killed. It is time to root out and destroy this Secret Society.

Patriarch Nicholas has my deepest thanks for his aid in this matter.

The Basileus resumes his seat on the Throne.

[Ferret]

Hypatios swears under his breath and walks briskly out of the room.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarch Nicholas III:

Thank you, Basileus, thank you very much indeed. I suspect that now is as good a time as any to announce that the clerical error mixing up the words "Constantinople" and "Alexandria" in the Book of Orthodox Doctrine.