Chapter 6: Interdiction

Summer AD 1067,
County of Korinthos, Principality of Peloponnesos, The Byzantine Empire.
Bishop Anaxagoras of Korinthos was a middle-aged man with a very long black beard with some grey stripes that reached down to his belt. His hair on the head on the other hand was almost gone, giving him a rather comical appearance. Nobody ever laughed in his presence though. The last unfortunate monk that had, was banished to a monastery in the desert where all types of verbal communication was forbidden. The people of Korinthos had taken that lesson to heart.

In contrast he was very passionate when delivering thundering sermons from the ruins of the cathedral of Korinthos that pulled in a large crowd every Sunday. His favourite subject was the denunciation of the rich and privileged…especially their local Prince, which despite all the money he had squeezed out of them, had done nothing to repair their ruined cathedral. It was a disgrace, he said, and affront to God.

Every Sunday the crowd grew larger until the city boiled over and a small riot ensued. Prince Georgios crushed it immediately, but concluded it had reached a critical point and decided to meet with the Bishop forthwith. To be on the safe side, Bishop Anaxagoras took with him a large body of Church officials and local dignities - just in case this young man - as he called Prince Georgios - tried any funny business.

Prince Georgios had prepared himself well too. He had picked the brain of all his advisors and anyone else with an opinion, especially the local Dynatons. To limit the possibility of yet another riot, he did not let Bishop Anaxagoras into his presence until the middle of the week, when all the peasants were safely away working their fields. He increased the local guards in the city and gave the local Kephale strict orders to control the streets or else…

Prince Georgios lined every yard of the route the Bishop party had to walk inside the palace with guards standing to attention. When the party at last reached the Grand Hall of the Reception, he was forced to wait at the doorway, while Kastrisios Teophano Chalkites announced him and his party - naming them all to Prince Georgios. It was an extended list, so it took much time. While the Bishop fidgeted, Prince Georgios sipped tepid white wine, sitting absolutely still looking every inch a ruler.

If the plan had been to cool Bishop Anaxagoras down it failed spectacularly. When was finally admitted into Prince Georgios' presence he was livid. "Prince," he bellowed. "I've come to…"

"And good afternoon to you too," Prince Georgios interrupted chillily.

Bishop Anaxagoras flushed slightly, but his dark eyes flashed dangerously. "My son," he began again. "You are in danger of losing your mortal soul. Amend your ways or be eternally damned!"

"What are you talking about?" Prince Georgios asked in a neutral voice with a slight hint of annoyance.

"The cathedral!" Bishop Anaxagoras bellowed.

"What about it?" Prince Georgios asked calmly, though narrowing his eyes. His advisors exchanged looks of worry.

"It's a ruin! It's a disgrace," Bishop Anaxagoras roared. "With all the money you have fleeced from…"

"Fleeced!?" Prince Georgios replied indignantly his voice rising fast. "I think His Excellency the Bishop of Korinthos has forgotten where he is. You are not talking to your rabble congregation today, my Lord Bishop."

"I have forgotten nothing," Bishop Anaxagoras replied in a slightly calmer voice. "But times are bad and your taxes…"

"Are fair!" Prince Georgios interrupted harshly. "It's none of your business what I do with…"

"But it is!" Bishop Anaxagoras thundered. "So long as my Cathedral is in ruin, I place an Interdiction on you, Prince Georgios!"

"WHAT!?" screamed Prince Georgios standing up, face red with anger.

"Interdiction!" Bishop Anaxagoras repeated. "Interdiction! You will not attend Mass or even be allowed inside any Church until you have rebuilt our Cathedral. Have a nice day!" He turned and shepherded his flock out of the Grand Hall.

Prince Georgios sank down on his throne looking utterly stunned.

The Reception was at an end.

* * * * *

Prince Georgios stayed in his room for two weeks, where he managed almost single-handedly to empty the storeroom for all types of wine, while raging against the Church and especially Bishop Anaxagoras.

He saw no one except the servants that brought wine and emptied the chamber pots - not even his mistresses. In the end, it took the courage of all of them to stop this madness. They entered together and demanded he clean up or they would stop seeing him.

"What!?" he asked in slurred voice. "But my pet you cannot be serious…"

"I…we are," Arete said flustering slightly. "Take a bath, my Prince. You are dirtier than a pig."

"I see…" He stood up and looked at his dirty clothes. "Perhaps you are right." Then he smiled roguishly. "But you better help me at least."

* * * * *

Cleaned and sober, he met the full council late early next morning. "How is my Principality?"

"Good, now that you are…eh…back," replied Logothetes Mechos.

"And the population?" Georgios asked.

"Working hard," Kastrisios Chalkites answered.

Prince Georgios lifted his eyebrows as high as they could go. "Really? I thought they would be out rioting until they get their church."

"Cathedral," Kastrisios Chalkites interjected.

"Whatever."

"Anyway, they are waiting to see what you will do next. And by the way, my Prince, we can't build a cathedral even if we had the cash."

"Eh?"

"The county is too backward. We don't have the necessary know-how."

Prince Georgios burst out laughing. "That's rich. What can we build then?"

"We do have the technology to build a simple church - after we build a tile factory that is."

"And we do know how to do that, I hope."

"Yes, that's only a question of money."

"Only," Prince Georgios said sarcastically. He picked up his cup, which was only filled with water now. He grimaced, but drank it all the same. "Will a simple church be enough for Bishop Anaxagoras?"

"No, I don't think so," his chancellor answered truthfully. "But he won't live forever, and we might have more luck with his successor."

"Any favourites?"

"Too early to tell I'm afraid."

"Mmm." Prince Georgios grunted. "Any other news?"

"Only one," Logothetes Mechos said. "We have received another letter from your father informing us that his wife is pregnant."

Prince Georgios threw the cup of water at his chancellor, who easily avoided it. "Fucking hell!" he yelled. "How long have you known?"

The pregnant stepmother

"The letter just came," she replied calmly. "It doesn't say how long she's been pregnant nor when the child is do."

Prince Georgios sighed loudly and sat down again. "Fine." He leaned back at thought a moment. "Contact the Imperial Chancellery - discretely, very discretely - and find out what it would take to get the banishment lifted. I need to be able to move around freely. Even if I can't move back to Constantinople, see to it that I at least can move around in the provinces."

"In some quarters," Strategos Marapas said, "that might be interpreted even more negatively than merely moving back into Constantinople."

"Rebellion, you mean," Georgios said dryly.

"Exactly, my Prince."

Prince Georgios smiled sardonically. "Which is why the request must be executed extremely delicately. Not mistake this time," he said to his chancellor.

Logothetes Mechos nodded. "I understand, my Prince."

"I hope you do," Prince Georgios said with a straight face.

* * * * *

NOTES:

1. Dynaton - any of a number of wealthy and influential classes of bureaucrats, landowners and other such.
2. Kephale - "head," the civil governor of a Byzantine town.
3. Interdiction - an ecclesiastical censure that excludes a person or district from participation in most sacraments and from Christian burial.

---

Chapter 7: Negotiations

Autumn AD 1067,
Constantinople, The Byzantine Empire.
Megas logothetes Bardas Radenos didn't look up when the chancellor for Peloponnesos was shown in, but continue to read the roll of parchment he was holding. Logothetes Choniatissa Mechos made a stiff bow as from one equal to another. Bardas Radenos looked up over his parchment and raised his eyebrows. Logothetes Mechos grimaced slightly and bowed a little deeper. Bardas Radenos nodded and waved her down in a low chair placing her beneath him. Nobody said anything while he finished the roll and throwing it with disgust on the table in front of him. "The dross I have to read…" He shook his head sadly. He leaned back in his chair, put his hands in front of him and formed a tent with his fingers. The he looked straight at her. "Delighted to see you, of course, Logothetes Mechos. How is Peloponnesos?"

"Same as always. Nothing much happens there."

"Come on, Logothetes Mechos. The place might be the same, but after your new master had to move there, the place has become the topic of every conversation here in Constantinople."

"Oh?" Logothetes Mechos inquired, trying to sound disinterested.

"Oh yes," Bardas Radenos said excitedly. "First it was that falling out with his father and then the way he expelled one of his vassal to take over the richest county of the Principality. Classic! …or was it the other way around?"

Logothetes Mechos shrugged. "Does it matter?" she said neutrally.

"I guess not," Bardas Radenos said more slowly. "And then, to top it all, he got himself an interdiction. Tell me, my dear Logothetes Mechos, does he revere the Church at all?"

"As a matter of fact, he does," Logothetes Mechos said stiffly, "but not necessarily all priests or bishops."

"No, I can imagine," Bardas Radenos agreed and laughed a little. "So what's he up to now then?"

"Up to? He is not up to anything, as you put it. I'm only here to ask a few questions."

"Of course," said Bardas Radenos not believing a word. "Go ahead then."

"Thank you. First I'm to ask if the banishment will be lifted soon?"

"No idea…and not likely," said Bardas Radenos slowly. "Your master has not improved his standing in the eyes of the Emperor because of his actions."

"Why?"

"Because appropriate actions for one under banishment, is to fade into oblivion - to be forgotten in other words - not to charge into the public eye like your master has."

Logothetes Mechos sighed. "I see." She took out a piece of parchment and some quills and ink. "May I?" Bardas Radenos nodded. She put the inkbottle on the desk and dipped her quill into the ink, before ticking something off on the parchment. "Secondly, will he still be called upon if the Senate is called for an emergency session?"

"As far as I know," Bardas Radenos began slowly to give him time think, "the banishment includes sessions of the Senate. The Senate as a body can call upon him to give an opinion, but that is hardly likely unless completely divided and your master has the last vote."

"I see," Logothetes Mechos said. She wrote some more on the parchment.

"Anything else?"

"Eh…yes. If he can't be recalled to Constantinople, can the banishment at least be loosened up a little? He would like to travel around in the provinces at least."

Bardas Radenos quickly leaned forward staring sharply at her. "Why?" he asked suspiciously.

"He is bored," Logothetes Mechos said and shrugged, trying hard to sound if it wasn't a big deal. "If he can't have the comforts of the capital, at least let him be able to visit friends and family."

"I see." Bardas Radenos looked up at the ceiling thinking hard. "I will have to ask the Emperor about that. Anything else?" he asked a touch impatiently now.

"Only one thing more." She looked up from her parchment and stared almost pleadingly at Bardas Radenos. "Is there anything he or…we - can do to lift the banishment or at least speed up the remaining time?"

Bardas Radenos smiled hungrily. "My dear lady, let me check around. Why don't you call back in…say a week and I'll see what I can find out?"

"Thank you, Megas logothetes Radenos. And thank you for seeing me."

"My pleasure" Bardas Radenos said and winked.

* * * * *

"So you waited a week?" Georgios asked.

"Not at all," Logothetes Mechos answered. "He got back to me after only two days actually and I saw him early next morning. He was not alone though. The Megas domestikos Botaniates was there as well."

Georgios shook his head and sighed audibly. "Okay, give it to me straight, I'm prepared for the worst now."

"Yes, my Prince." She bowed her head and it looked like prayed briefly. "In order to worm yourself back into…"

"Worm!?" Georgios asked furiously.

"Megas domestikos Botaniates word, my Prince not mine…" she pleaded.

"Sounds like him actually," Strategos Marapas interjected.

"You know him?" Georgios asked.

"Of him at least. He's got a great military reputation, but he is very blunt. It could have been said to anger mistress Mechos or yourself, my Prince," Strategos Marapas said. "Despite his rough appearances, he does actually understand diplomacy even if he hates it."

"So it was said on purpose?" Georgios asked.

"I wasn't there," Strategos Marapas said, "but that's my interpretation."

"Very well." Georgios sighed. "Continue, Logothetes Mechos."

"Yes, my prince…err… to get back into the Emperor's favour, you need to perform a huge service to the Empire… specifically, to crush the Pechenegs."

The Pechenegs

"WHAT!?" Georgios yelled. "Are they crazy? The Empire has fought those barbarians for centuries without managing to crush them and now they want us… a small, poor Principality to do it for them?" Georgios shook his head violently. "What are they thinking?"

"They might want to get rid of you, my Prince," Logothetes Mechos said timidly.

"That won't save them, "Georgios said angrily. "Even if I fall, the Empire is still at war with the barbarians. I doubt the Pechenegs see much different between soldiers from a Principality or imperial soldiers."

"True," Strategos Marapas agreed, "but at least they have got rid of you and might have an easier time besieging a province or two."

"So that's their plan then?" Georgios said. "To come in and besiege it after we have fallen… or take over the siege if are still alive."

"That's how the Empire nearly always do things," Strategos Marapas said. "Wasting the light soldiers of the Principalities before committing its own. Make sense if you are the Emperor."

"Yes, I know," Georgios sighed. And when I'm Emperor…, he thought.

"What was that?" Strategos Marapas asked sharply.

Georgios blinked and realised he had muttered out aloud his thoughts. "Nothing, just thinking." He turned towards Logothetes Mechos. "Did you get a sense that we were alone in this?"

"No, my Prince, I don't think we are. I know very little of military planning, but it looked too rehearsed. They are quietly mobilising the Empire for war."

Strategos Marapas nodded. "That tally with what little I've managed to pick up."

"Well, that's something," Georgios said more calmly. "So, if we against the odds, does manage to win a victory in a county, we need to take that county quickly before the barbarians are back with more soldiers or before the Emperor show up with his army."

Strategos Marapas nodded. "Correct, my Prince."

"Do we have any siege equipment?"

Strategos Marapas sighed. "No, my Prince."

"Well, get some then. I'm not moving before we have that at least - and some more troops of course."

"If we got time," Strategos Marapas added dryly.

* * * * *

NOTES:

1. Megas logothetes (Grand Logothete) - the head of the logothetes, personally responsible for the legal system and treasury, somewhat like a chancellor in western Europe (i.e. our Chancellor, but only when dealing with the Imperial Chancellor).
2. Megas domestikos (Grand Domestic) - the overall commander of the imperial army.

---

Chapter 8: An Understanding

The Byzantine Empire 1067

Winter AD 1067-68,
County of Korinthos, Principality of Peloponnesos, The Byzantine Empire
Denied the service of the Church during Christmas, Prince Georgios took his revenge by inviting everyone of importance in the principality to the palace for a New Year celebration, except members of the clergy of course. Almost everyone came. Mostly for the free food and wine, Prince Georgios acknowledged, but also from curiosity.

Prince Georgios sat in the high seat and watched the entertainment drinking slowly without actually watching. "A penny for your thought, my Prince," Arete Karaïonatan asked jokingly sitting down on his left side.

"It's nothing," Prince Georgios answered curtly. "Just thinking of the future, my dear."

"Does that include me?"

"But of course. You are my Spy Mistress."

"Yes," she said slowly, "but I was wondering if you are going to marry someone soon and where that would leave us…your other women."

"I can't marry, remember, until the Interdiction has been lifted and it won't be lifted until I build a church, which is years away."

"Even so, when you do marry…"

Prince Georgios sat the goblet down on the table in front him with a loud bang.

The music band stopped playing in mid-tune and the silence in the great hall was deafening. Prince Georgios shook his head and quickly waved the music band on. The music started to flow again and the noise level of conversations slowly rose again. Prince Georgios looked on for a minute, before turning to his Spy Mistress. "We will not have this discussion here, my dear. When I do marry, it will be for money and prestige with a girl from the right class for breeding purpose only. Love doesn't filter into it. I have all of you for that."

"Interesting conversation," a voice said behind them.

Prince Georgios turned around and saw a man in a black cassock. "Who the fuck are you?" he asked angrily his temper rising fast. "I did not invite any of you."

"True," the man said and sat down on Prince Georgios' other side. "On the other hand, apart from being a priest, I'm also a landowner - a member of the Dynaton - which is how I got the invitation." He picked up a pitcher and poured wine for himself and into Prince Georgios' goblet. Prince Georgios stared at him in shock momentarily, before recovering fast and waving his guards over.

"You don't want to do that," the man said calmly. "My name is Methodios Komnenus, by the way…"

"Komnenus?" Prince Georgios asked sharply. "Are you related to the Princely family of Komnenus?"

"Yes," Methodios said calmly. "Very distantly of course, but still…" He winked.

"I see," Prince Georgios said slowly and hold up his hand to stop his guards from dragging the man away. The guards stopped, but stayed close ready for anything. "What do you want?" Prince Georgios asked calmly.

"Wrong question, Prince Georgios." He laughed and drank a little wine and nodded to Prince Georgios' goblet to have him drink too. "It's what I can do for you."

Prince Georgios didn't touch it. "Oh?"

"Yes, Prince Georgios. I'm Bishop Anaxagoras Kourator. Let's just say, I understand the strains you are under, far better than Bishop Anaxagoras, who is after all a peasant."

Prince Georgios suddenly smiled. "You want to be Bishop!" he stated, not asking.

Methodios Komnenus smiled broadly and picked up Prince Georgios' goblet and handed it to him, who took it this time. "I think we are going to get on well, my Prince," he said echoing mistress Arete Karaïonatan, who looked on approvingly. "In the mean time, if you need a private confessor or chaplain…I'm your man."

* * * * *

In early January the Council met to evaluate the year. Strategos Marapas said the recruiting was going well, despite the lack of training-grounds. The total army, including vassals had increased from 700 to 778 - an increase of over 11%.

"And the siege engines?" Prince Georgios asked.

"We are getting there, my Prince" Strategos Marapas answered confidently. "We have just now received a instruction book from Constantinople, so we should be able to start building shortly. Shouldn't take too long…"

"Mm-hm," Prince Georgios grunted sourly. He was far less confident. He turned to his steward. "The economy, my dear?"

"Also much improved, my Prince," Kastrisios Chalkites answered. "Our income has risen from one solidus per month to four and a half. It will still take time to get all you want, but…"

"I know," Prince Georgios said calmly, though narrowing his eyes. His advisors all took a deep breath. "You got any…good news, mistress Mechos?"

"Perhaps," she said. "The banishment has been…clarified."

"Oh?" Prince Georgios asked dangerously.

Ye-es," she stammered. "It seems - even though you have forbidden to travel around - and Heaven knows how we are to get an army up to the Pechenegs then…"

"Leave that to me," Strategos Marapas interrupted. "It's no problem."

Prince Georgios nodded to his general, before turning back to his chancellor. "Go on!"

"Ah…yes. It seems, though you can't visit other nobles - friends and family - they are allowed to see you."

"Ah, good. I will make use of that," Prince Georgios said and laughed. "Spy Mistress, you have anything?"

"Only one item, my Prince," she said strangely subdued. "I regret to inform you your father is ill."

The sick father

"Regret?" Prince Georgios laughed. "I don't regret that at all. How ill is the bastard?"

"I don't know."

"Well find out. There is an inheritance at stake here."

"Yes, my Prince."

* * * * *

NOTES:

1. Methodios Komnenus is another non-game character unfortunately, in case you were wondering. Hopefully, I will get a male personage with ecclesiastical education at some point...
2. Kourator - an important personage, administrator of a place or business, often a right-hand-man to an Archon or Bishop.

---

Chapter 9: Boyhood

Spring AD 1068,
County of Korinthos, Principality of Peloponnesos, The Byzantine Empire
As winter turned to spring, Prince Georgios became increasingly edgy. "Is the bastard going to die or not?" he asked repeatedly of his Spy Mistress meaning his father. Arete Karaïonatan just shook her head and said it was up to God. "And the pregnancy?"

"Going well, last I heard."

"That is not what I wanted to hear."

"I only report facts, my prince," Arete Karaïonatan replied acidly, "I don't fabricate stories."

Prince Georgios looked up from the scroll he was reading and laughed out loud. "Very good, my dear." He threw the scroll on his desk and picked up the wine-cup. "Well, it must be close. Inform me the moment you hear something!"

"Will do, my prince," the Spy Mistress answered a little stiffly.

Prince Georgios turned to his Chancellor. "What does Alexios wants, you think?" he asked pointing at the scroll on his desk.

"What is says in that scroll, my Prince," Logothetes Mechos replied. "To cheer you up a little in your dreadful place of exile. At least, in part. I believe you know him from your Constantinople days?"

"Indeed I do - we're boyhood friends. And you are right…in part. He really does mean exactly what he says…which doesn't mean that's his only reason for coming here - far from it." He sipped his wine slowly remembering the old days. "On the other hand," he said and smiled dreamily, "Alexios has never taken himself too seriously - probably because everything comes so easily to him. Not like me and…eh - never mind. You don't want to hear about my childhood."

Arete Karaïonatan and Choniatissa Mechos shared a look. "Yes, we do, my Prince," Arete said.

"It might help me understand the reason," Choniatissa said. "Or perhaps reasons are more accurate - for Prince Alexios visit…"

"I know the reasons," Prince Georgios interrupted harshly. He waved for a servant to refill his wine-cup. "Most of them," he amended. "But I see no reason to tell you…"

"Indulge us, master," Arete said pleadingly. She stroked his arm. "Please. About your school days I mean."

"Oh, very well. It began almost ten years ago in Constantinople. My father sent me there for schooling, when he became Prince of Butrinto…"

* * * * *

* * * * *

Someone knocked on the door.

Prince Georgios stopped talking and waved for a servant to answer. He was soon back saying it was Strategos Marapas and it was urgent. "Send him in," Prince Georgios said relieved putting down his wine-cup.

"Good news, Prince Georgios," Strategos Marapas said loudly as he entered. "The siege engine works. We have done it!"

Prince Georgios jumped up from the chair. "Show me!" And they ran from the study like a pair of schoolboys.

* * * * *

The midwife curtsied to her master. "Your lady wife is ready to see you know, master."

He shot up from his chair and almost ran into his wife's bedchamber. His wife looked pale, but happy. She lifted up the bedcover and held out a baby. "A boy, my lord," she said.

He laughed gaily. "Excellent, wife. You have done well." He took the baby from his wife and looked him over. "Welcome to the world, Isaakios Palaeologus. You are needed."

---

Chapter 10: Friends

Summer AD 1068,
County of Korinthos, Principality of Peloponnesos, The Byzantine Empire
"How was the trip?" Prince Georgios asked of Prince Alexios when the two friends met alone in his study after dismissing the rest of Prince Alexios' party. Georgios opened the large doors out on the balcony and motioned for Alexios to follow him. "Let's sit out here - it's pleasant in the afternoon." He lay down on a reclining chair.

Prince Alexios followed suit. He carried two overflowing wine cups and gave one to Georgios before he lay down too. "The trip was boring, but quick at least," Alexios said. "You know how the Venetians are."

"Actually I don't," Georgios said. "I've made a special point not having anything to do with them or any other westerners. They are not be trusted. What if they had killed you…or worse, kidnapped you?"

Alexios shrugged. "They are docile for now. The Emperor has just renewed their trade agreement - and they wouldn't jeopardise that for anything."

"The Republic of Venice no," Georgios agreed, "but individual traders? In heartbeat I say if they saw any profit in it."

"You are too cynical," Alexios said. "Always were. They would never dare harm me or mine."

"And you are still too proud, thinking that nothing can touch you!" Georgios said and laughed, remembering old days.

* * * * *

* * * * *

"How is married life agreeing with you?" Georgios asked.

"Strangely satisfying."

"Does that mean you have stopped seeing other women?"

"Of course not," Alexios replied hastily. "Just don't tell my wife."

"What!?" Georgios asked incredulously. "She doesn't know?"

"She does know of my previous life. It's just I…err…sort of promised I would give it up for her."

"Give it up?" Georgios repeated shaking his head. "Why on earth would you promise that? Of Michael I can understand - he wasn't exactly strong to begin with, but of you?"

"You'll see when you are married. They have a way of…eh…rearranging a man in their image."

"I cannot marry yet. The Interdiction is actually a blessing in disguise then," Georgios laughed. "But when I do, I will do so on my terms."

"Right," Alexios said mockingly sipping the excellent wine. "By the way, Theodora sends her love." Georgios who was also drinking, suddenly coughed violently spraying wine. "Down the wrong hole?" Alexios asked innocently.

Georgios stood up quickly. "Fuck you, Alex," he wheezed. "You know I had a soft spot for her once, but I have no intention of…"

"Too late, Georgios," Alexios said soberly. "She's convinced the fallout with your father was done so that you could marry anyone you want…"

"In part, it was."

"…namely her. As promised! She's already got father to agree…"

"She's very good at that."

"Always," Alexios laughed. "And be prepared that she will probably turn up here on her 16th birthday with a tame priest in tow - interdiction or no interdiction."

"Fucking Hell!" Georgios exclaimed. He quickly drained what little wine remained in the cup.

"So you might as well put a brave face on it. I predict she will persuade you in matter of seconds anyway," Alexios said laughing and emptied the cup too.

"I know," Georgios sighed loudly. He went inside to fetch the pitcher of wine. "I had hoped your father had safely married her away by now - or put her in a convent or something." He came out again and poured more wine.

"Father actually suggested that at one point. She wouldn't hear of it. She decided years ago to marry you. " He laughed wickedly. "Though I can't for life me understand why." He turned over to look at Georgios. "And I will kill you," he added matter-of-factly, "if I hear you have mistreated her in any way - so treat her with the utmost respect."

Georgios stared at his friend not quite believing what he was hearing. "Very well, brother." He shook his head slightly as to clear his mind. "How is Michael doing?" he asked changing the subject.

"Up to his neck in work," Alexios replied soberly. "He is desperately trying to stop his father from making Mihajlo Vujoslav the next Emperor. You have heard…?"

"Hell yes," Georgios said angrily. "Even down here we do get news of that magnitude. A peasant delegation actually came to the palace to complain. 'Prince, we ain't gonna accept a fockin' Serb as our next Emperor'," Georgios said imitating the speaker in a deep, gruff voice. "'You must go to the Senate and oppose the evil man. The Emperor must be rescued from wicked eunuchs and fockin' foreigners'."

Alexios laughed. "I always say the people keeps a healthy view on things." He drank some more wine. "I can't understand why you keep complaining about the wine, Georgie - this is most excellent."

"Bought specially for you," Georgios said sourly. "The local swill I usually drink is only drinkable with lots of water."

"Ah," Alexios said and smiled. "No need to save it then…" He laughed and poured more wine from the pitcher. "Anyway, Michael is trying to gather support in the Senate to oppose Mihajlo and..."

"To elect him or just to stop Mihajlo?"

"A bit a of both probably," Alexios shrugged. "That's pretty much all we do…trying to get elected."

"I know," Georgios sighed loudly. "And had we continued our old ways, Michael would have been a shoo-in…"

"Not necessarily," Alexios said evenly. "Even in the bad old days of inheritance, unfit heirs weren't always chosen."

"Unfit? I wouldn't call Michael unfit."

"I love Michael like a brother," Alexios said, "but we can do so much better."

"Yes, I'm sure you feel that."

"That's the whole point of our enlightened system of electing the best…"

"Enlightened! Best!" Georgios interrupted sounding very angry. " Mihajlo Vujoslav is most certainly not the best we got - only the one with the deepest gold-mine!"

"True," Alexios conceded, "but even so, we would never elect another madman at least. That's quite an improvement over the old system."

"I don't agree. We wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for the so-called elective system you are so proud of. We are not a republic!"

"No, we are better," Alexios retorted his voice rising. "We are an elective empire!"

"A contradiction in terms if you ask me!" Georgios yelled.

They stared angrily at one another before Alexios suddenly started to laugh. "And we still don't agree on politics I see."

"No," Georgios agreed also laughing. He poured more wine and sat down again. "What else are you two up to?"

"We trying to get your banishment annulled, which has proven strangely difficult. We need you back in the Senate."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but that that's impossible in the short term - even for you two. On the other hand, I've been promised if I wage a little profitable war, the situation might change fast."

"And you actually believe that?" Alexios asked incredulously.

"Not at all…or rather not completely. It depends on how well that war is executed, no?"

"Ah, I see…" Alexios nodded. "But can you do that fast enough to save the Empire. The Emperor is after all old and if he dies tomorrow, the next Emperor will be Mihajlo. I ask you, is that an Imperial name?"

"He'll probably change it to Michael then," Georgios said dryly and emptied the wine-cup again.

* * * * *

NOTES:

1. "He stutters slightly" - a trait taken from straight from the game character Michael Dukas. I have no idea if he did so in real life…
2. ...overlooking what could be construed as a comment on the newness of House Palaeologus - since the game doesn't show any characters other than father and son Palaeologus at start, I'm pretending it's a new House…
   Short (made-up) story: general Palaeologus, a career military officer, did something "spectacular" at one point catapulting him into princedom just before this.
3. "We are an elective empire!" - the above debate on the how to chose an Emperor is of course a comment on the game not actual history.