This is my second attempt to write narrative aar. I hope you will like it. I started playing as Alexios Komnenos, Prince of Koppadokia and soon inherited Byzantine throne from deceased Konstaninos Doukas.
INTRODUCTION
Vaspourkan 3th April 1067 evening
’’Alp Arslan cavalry broke through the infantry at castle walls. His marksmen shoot down our archers off the walls. His infantry is well armoured with sharp swords and spears. Seljuk spears lighly pierce our shields and armors. Their swords are slashing through throats of our men! Van is lost!’’ – Prince Michael Doukas yelled at Alexios Komnenos.
Alexios looked up to Michael ’’They still haven’t met our Kataphraktoi.’’ and smiled.
’’How can you be so calm in a situation like this?’’ – Michael yelled again ’’We will most probably die from dirty Turk hand!’’
Alexios still had his look focused on Michael ’’No Michael. We are going to defend Van. Behind us is a lake of Van. Take women and children. Leave before Turks get into the castle. Now!’’
’’You are not my master to command me. I will fight! I am crown prince of Byzantium, Eastern and true Roman Empire. I will make empire prosper. Do you understand Alexios Komnenos?’’ – Michael attacked Alexios.
Alexios was holding sword in his hands, sword that Komnenids used to win many wars and battles, sword of Komnenoi.
Είμαι καταιγίδ σπαθί των Κομνηνών υπερασπιστής της αυτοκρατορίας
(I am Storm, sword of Komnenoi, defender of Empire)
It was written on the sword
’’My wife is pregnant..’’ – Alexios finally said.
Michael snorted and rushed out from keep.
--
More than fifthy thousand Turks were besieging castle of Van, led by Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan. Under his reign, Seljuks expand their borders, mostly towards west crushing Byzantine Empire. They have already conquered Armenia and most of Vaspurakan. Last stand of Byzantines of Vasurakan is castle of Van, on eastern side of lake Van.
Turks have already breached the castle walls. Six thousands Koppadokians were in front of keep, waiting for orders of their master, Prince Alexios Komenos of Koppadokia. They wore leather and mail armors. In their hands, sharp swords, spears and axes could be seen. Cross with four C was painted on foreheads of their helmets. They were true Byzantines. Never ready for surrender, never retreating, fight to death. They were willing to die for sake and good of Empire, of their master. Six thousands Kataphraktoi on horses were standing before Alexios, who wore his plate armor. It was shiny even on dark.
Alekios is whipping out a sword from its sheath, and lifted him up by the month.
’’My soldiers, my brothers! The day that we all feared has come. The day Turks have invaded our lands, with greatest of their armies. Nearly one hundred thousand invaded Eastern Roman Empire, our Empire, our Byzantium. They are in this castle, marching to kill us. The day Byzantine forces have crushed, and are retreating deeper into Empire. The day when Turks will kill our wives and children. But we will change this day. WE, SIX THOUSANDS KATAPHRAKTOI WILL DEFEAT THAT MIGHTY ARMY ALP ARSLAN IS LEADING! WE WILL FIGHT THEM AND DEFEND CASTLE OF VAN AND VASPURAKAN. WE ARE KOPPADOKIANS, WE ARE BYZANTINES, WE ARE KATAPHRAKTOI!!! Charge brothers, charge into deaths, charge into glory!’’ – and they charged killing Turks on every step, until they came to very castle gates. Alexios could see white flag.
Negotiations, Alexios thought.
Alp Arslan was riding the trot towards Alekios. He was a tall man with black hair that fell to his shoulders. His face was covered with blood, but not his blood. His sword was in its sheath at his waist. Large round shield was on his back. He smiled looking at Alexios.
’’Incredible leadership, I must admit. I am very impressed young lord Komnenos.’’ – Sultan said.
Alexios nodded and rebuked sultan ’’Lead your armies back to Baghdad, Turkish Sultan. I cannot tolerate to see your army in Byzantine territory.’’
Alp Arslan smiled and nodded. ’’I have came to your lands because your Emperor Konstantinos X Doukas refused to accept the peace offer.’’
’’All you want is peace?’’ – confused Alexios asked.
’’Of course. Over one century, Seljuk-Byzantine wars are destroying our Empire. I am maybe good warlord, but I want peace. I cannot see without crying Muslims dying at the hands of foreigners.’’
Alexios was looking at sultan ’’I will try to persuade my emperor to accept peace.’’
’’Elective Law is used in Byzantium, isn’t it?’’ – sultan asked,
Alexios nodded ’’Why?’’
’’I heard that crown prince Michael Doukas and you share rank of most powerful lords in Byzantium. You showed yourself worthy warlord and politician a little bit. Maybe you become an Emperor after all.’’
Alexios watched in astonishment. ’’An Emperor?’’
--
Emperor Konstaninos died only few days later, on 17th April. Michael excpected to be crowned an Emperor, but it was great dissapointing to him when title of Emperor was given to Alexios.
On june 15th Alexios Komnenos became Emperor of Byzantium , and was known as Basilius Alexios I Komnenos of Koppadokia. As his first act as an emperor, he signed peace treaty with Alp Arslan of Seljuks on July 3th. Sultan of Seljuks was merciful and decided to return Byzantines lands they lost in previous wars (Minor Armenia, rest of Vaspurkan). On october 26th, he was blessed by son.
’’It’s a boy!’’ - midwife said while holding a baby.
’’Give him to me.’’ - Zoe said impatiently.
She looked him at the eyes. He has his father’s eyes, eyes of conqueror.
’’He will be good emperor’’ – someone said
Midwife turned her head to see Alexios standing at doorstep. He walked slowly toward his wife, only to take his son in arms. He took him slowly from Zoe.
’’Oh look at that, you have my eyes’’ – he said and smiled. ’’I will name you Isaakios. That was name of first Byzantine emperor from Komnenoi dynasty.’’ – he looked at his son unblinking. ’’You are going to be strong emperor one day Isaakios. You will rule with strong fist. You will kill many enemies with Sword of Komnenoi.
I will rise you as a inheritor of an Empire and dynasty. You are my son! My first son and savior of Empire!
--
This is size of empire when Isaakios was born.
Yellow - my demesne
Blue - area i plan to conquer in next years.
INTRODUCTION
Vaspourkan 3th April 1067 evening
’’Alp Arslan cavalry broke through the infantry at castle walls. His marksmen shoot down our archers off the walls. His infantry is well armoured with sharp swords and spears. Seljuk spears lighly pierce our shields and armors. Their swords are slashing through throats of our men! Van is lost!’’ – Prince Michael Doukas yelled at Alexios Komnenos.
Alexios looked up to Michael ’’They still haven’t met our Kataphraktoi.’’ and smiled.
’’How can you be so calm in a situation like this?’’ – Michael yelled again ’’We will most probably die from dirty Turk hand!’’
Alexios still had his look focused on Michael ’’No Michael. We are going to defend Van. Behind us is a lake of Van. Take women and children. Leave before Turks get into the castle. Now!’’
’’You are not my master to command me. I will fight! I am crown prince of Byzantium, Eastern and true Roman Empire. I will make empire prosper. Do you understand Alexios Komnenos?’’ – Michael attacked Alexios.
Alexios was holding sword in his hands, sword that Komnenids used to win many wars and battles, sword of Komnenoi.
Είμαι καταιγίδ σπαθί των Κομνηνών υπερασπιστής της αυτοκρατορίας
(I am Storm, sword of Komnenoi, defender of Empire)
It was written on the sword
’’My wife is pregnant..’’ – Alexios finally said.
Michael snorted and rushed out from keep.
--
More than fifthy thousand Turks were besieging castle of Van, led by Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan. Under his reign, Seljuks expand their borders, mostly towards west crushing Byzantine Empire. They have already conquered Armenia and most of Vaspurakan. Last stand of Byzantines of Vasurakan is castle of Van, on eastern side of lake Van.
Turks have already breached the castle walls. Six thousands Koppadokians were in front of keep, waiting for orders of their master, Prince Alexios Komenos of Koppadokia. They wore leather and mail armors. In their hands, sharp swords, spears and axes could be seen. Cross with four C was painted on foreheads of their helmets. They were true Byzantines. Never ready for surrender, never retreating, fight to death. They were willing to die for sake and good of Empire, of their master. Six thousands Kataphraktoi on horses were standing before Alexios, who wore his plate armor. It was shiny even on dark.
Alekios is whipping out a sword from its sheath, and lifted him up by the month.
’’My soldiers, my brothers! The day that we all feared has come. The day Turks have invaded our lands, with greatest of their armies. Nearly one hundred thousand invaded Eastern Roman Empire, our Empire, our Byzantium. They are in this castle, marching to kill us. The day Byzantine forces have crushed, and are retreating deeper into Empire. The day when Turks will kill our wives and children. But we will change this day. WE, SIX THOUSANDS KATAPHRAKTOI WILL DEFEAT THAT MIGHTY ARMY ALP ARSLAN IS LEADING! WE WILL FIGHT THEM AND DEFEND CASTLE OF VAN AND VASPURAKAN. WE ARE KOPPADOKIANS, WE ARE BYZANTINES, WE ARE KATAPHRAKTOI!!! Charge brothers, charge into deaths, charge into glory!’’ – and they charged killing Turks on every step, until they came to very castle gates. Alexios could see white flag.
Negotiations, Alexios thought.
Alp Arslan was riding the trot towards Alekios. He was a tall man with black hair that fell to his shoulders. His face was covered with blood, but not his blood. His sword was in its sheath at his waist. Large round shield was on his back. He smiled looking at Alexios.
’’Incredible leadership, I must admit. I am very impressed young lord Komnenos.’’ – Sultan said.
Alexios nodded and rebuked sultan ’’Lead your armies back to Baghdad, Turkish Sultan. I cannot tolerate to see your army in Byzantine territory.’’
Alp Arslan smiled and nodded. ’’I have came to your lands because your Emperor Konstantinos X Doukas refused to accept the peace offer.’’
’’All you want is peace?’’ – confused Alexios asked.
’’Of course. Over one century, Seljuk-Byzantine wars are destroying our Empire. I am maybe good warlord, but I want peace. I cannot see without crying Muslims dying at the hands of foreigners.’’
Alexios was looking at sultan ’’I will try to persuade my emperor to accept peace.’’
’’Elective Law is used in Byzantium, isn’t it?’’ – sultan asked,
Alexios nodded ’’Why?’’
’’I heard that crown prince Michael Doukas and you share rank of most powerful lords in Byzantium. You showed yourself worthy warlord and politician a little bit. Maybe you become an Emperor after all.’’
Alexios watched in astonishment. ’’An Emperor?’’
--
Emperor Konstaninos died only few days later, on 17th April. Michael excpected to be crowned an Emperor, but it was great dissapointing to him when title of Emperor was given to Alexios.
On june 15th Alexios Komnenos became Emperor of Byzantium , and was known as Basilius Alexios I Komnenos of Koppadokia. As his first act as an emperor, he signed peace treaty with Alp Arslan of Seljuks on July 3th. Sultan of Seljuks was merciful and decided to return Byzantines lands they lost in previous wars (Minor Armenia, rest of Vaspurkan). On october 26th, he was blessed by son.
’’It’s a boy!’’ - midwife said while holding a baby.
’’Give him to me.’’ - Zoe said impatiently.
She looked him at the eyes. He has his father’s eyes, eyes of conqueror.
’’He will be good emperor’’ – someone said
Midwife turned her head to see Alexios standing at doorstep. He walked slowly toward his wife, only to take his son in arms. He took him slowly from Zoe.
’’Oh look at that, you have my eyes’’ – he said and smiled. ’’I will name you Isaakios. That was name of first Byzantine emperor from Komnenoi dynasty.’’ – he looked at his son unblinking. ’’You are going to be strong emperor one day Isaakios. You will rule with strong fist. You will kill many enemies with Sword of Komnenoi.
I will rise you as a inheritor of an Empire and dynasty. You are my son! My first son and savior of Empire!
--
This is size of empire when Isaakios was born.
Yellow - my demesne
Blue - area i plan to conquer in next years.
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