Spawn of the Hellespont - Abydos

[LodossKnight]

I will open this up with the fact that this my first AAR and most likely one of the first posts I've made here. I've been a lurker for awhile, and I thought I'd actually try my hand at a bit of writing and have a wee bit of fun along with it. I'm sorry if it's either too short on detail or too long-winded, please...PLEASE throw things at me, I like me some critiquing of my work!
I'm going to try and keep this as a bridge between Gameplay and Story, such as accurate names and events.
And now! Into the deep!

Spawn of the Hellespont​

Chapter 1​

The Bright One​

1066-1067​

In the great land of Abydos it was normal for members of the court to introduce some of the elder children to the Prince for possible service. Prince Theophylaktos Psellos thought it proper to always include children from within his realm as courtiers as a way to keep the people informed of what he was doing and as a way to ensure his continued place as Prince.

Phaidras was all too aware of this fact as he was ushered into the echoing halls of the Keep of Mysia, surrounded by the Castle of Hellespont. Prince Theophylaktos father had started the construction when Phaidras was only seven. Now seven years later, at the age of fourteen Phaidras was standing in the very halls that his father and Prince Theo had personally helped finish building. It turned out that Phaidras was the Great nephew to Prince Theo, but even that relation would not assist him in taking the throne of Abydos unless the rest of the Psellos dynasty died off.

As he followed one of the Princes servants he noticed that there was a man in robes not too far ahead of them that was making his way to the main hall, where the Prince was currently. He picked up speed abit to catch up to the man in robes, much to the dismay of the servant as he had to hurry along to keep up, which was hard to do after having to run around to find the boy that he was now escorting to the Prince.

"Phaidras! Don't run in these halls! Be respectful please!"

"I'm sorry Edail, I'll try to keep that in mind. Excuse me? Monk? By chance, is there a reason you are going to see the Prince?" The man in robes stopped for a moment and looked at Phaidras, placing his hand on the youths shoulder as he spoke with a medium voice and a firm tone.

"My young lad, I am Konstantinos, I am a Bishop of Byzantium, I am here to see the Prince so that I may request a place in his court." Phaidras looked at the bishop with his deep set brown eyes and tilted his head slightly.

"Really? Why?" The servant Edail quickly grabbed Phaidras by the arm and swiftly escorted him away from the bishop and towards the Main hall.

"Phaidras! Come on, you can't just bother anybody here, you must adhere to etiquette, there is no reason for you to question anyone here, especially not the Bishop!"

"I'm sorry Edail, I'll try to keep your embarassment low." He grinned and followed Edail into the Main Hall. Once they were let through the large wooden doors they were met with the sight of the large stone and marble architecture that was well known from the Greek mainland. In the center raised up by a muntain of fifteen platforms, which acted like stairs, was the throne of the Prince. The decorating wasn't finished yet, as the hall was only finished last year, but it was a wonder to look at nevertheless. Infront of the throne stood Bishop Konstantinos, who was now addressing the Prince.

"Prince Theophylaktos Psellos of Abydos! I, Konstantinos Haploucheir, Bishop of Byzantium, am here on behalf of the Patriarch himself to request a place in your court." Prince Theo, a bald man who dressed like he was a Marshal of the military, not a prince, stood up and gestured to one of the servants, who quickly moved to the bishop and handed him a small silver ring with the Princes symbol on it. The Bishop took it and placed it on a finger and smiled at the Prince, bowing his slightly as an offer of gratitude before he stood off to the side.

"Prince Psellos!" the servant Edail piped up.

"Yes Edail, did you bring the new youths here?"

"Yes Prince Theo, I did. I'd like to introduce Phaidras Psellos, son of Heraklis Psellos." The Prince stood up and strolled down the platform to stop infront of Phaidras.

"Phaidras? I know your father well. Would you be willing to become an aide to my court? You'd come with us to all important events and you'd even get to come with us during campaigns and see the innerworkings of the Byzantium Empire." Phaidras stared straight into Theophylaktos' eyes, stunned at the offer. His father had told him that the most likely job he'd be given was aide to a single court member, not to the Prince himself, and especially not to the entire court. He was not in line for the Principality ever, so his eyes opened wide as he spoke.

"My...my Prince, I'd be honored to serve as an aide to your court!" The Prince placed his hand atop the boys brown-blonde hair and ruffled it a little.

"My court! People of Abydos, I then present to you Diocese Bishop, Konstantinos Haploucheir, and Court Aide, Phaidras Psellos!" There was small amount of clapping before the court dispersed for the day. Phaidras and Edail quickly making their way out one of the side entrances, but before they could leave they were stopped by Prince Theophylaktos himself.

"Edail, I want you to be Phaidras personal servant, any help that he might need falls to you. Now Phaidras, I want you back here tomorrow by sunrise. If you aren't here, I'll have the Marshal come find you himself and take you off for the days exercises with the troops. Now go, and tell your father that I wish for his company to grace these halls eventually."

"Yes my Prince!" Edail and Phaidras had spoken in unison and caused them both to crack up as the scurried out of the hall and back home. As the Prince made his way towards his wing the Chancellor, one Anastasia Komnenos, stopped the Prince.

"My prince, I just got word from Byzantion. Emperor Konstantinos is calling on us to mobilize our forces to fight off the invading Moslems." The Prince sighed and moved past the Chancellor.

"Send word that we cannot commit our troops just yet, and that they can expect them in three months...If the campaign even lasts that long."

 

[Veldmaarschalk]

Good luck with your first AAR, an interesting choice for a starting nation.

Do you have any specific goals ?

 

[LodossKnight]

Actually I have two now. I'll update this today/tomorrow with more specifics, but I've played quite a ways through and I think My goals are to either obtain Emperor of Byzantium and hold it(considering I hold different Laws of Succession than the rest of Byzantium[Changed it to Salic Conganuity] and possibly obtain the Kingdom of Persia. Either-or mayhap both. And although I don't perceive it will happen, I'm going to try and drag this on straight through HOI2, obviously the fact that the characters will change is apparent to me, nonetheless I find it important to at least have one unobtainable goal, to turn Abydos into a nation in HOI 2!

I wanted to pick something small because it's challenging and it really forces you to play politics to start with, can sometimes backfire that's for sure. And because fo the volatile nature of the area it also allows me to be a buffer between Europe and the Middle-east, as otherwise the Moslems spread all the way into Europe and overtakes the Balkans and other areas by oh...1150 AD and it makes it impossible to remove them without being a giant kingdom.

Oh yea! Just so everyone knows everything is N/N for this, and I'm a very aggressive player, so don't be too surprised if things seem alittle quick.

 

[unmerged(60841)]

Greek Kingdom of Persia sounds interesting, of course, Abydos is in a good location to do a lot with. Good luck

 

[LodossKnight]

Chapter 1 Continued

Chapter 1, Continued.

Three months had passed quickly for the court of Abydos. Phaidras had only been woken up twice by the Marshal, and needless to say Phaidras had impressed him on more than one occassion, citing that his skills on a horse and in the drills were astounding, and he'd be content to ride into battle with Phaidras as an aid any time.

For the most part, the court of Abydos dealt mostly with internal affairs, a strengthening of the army, and a continued presence in the Empire as the Emperor Konstantinos called for the mobilization of the Abydosian Military under the Imperial flag every month, sometimes more than once. Today was no different.

"Prince Theophylaktos! The Empire has recently heard of your Alliance with King Georgios of Dongola of Nubia. On top of that you have refused to Mobilize even though the enemy has already attacked your neighbors and threaten to dissolve the Eastern portion of the Empire! And ontop of that Byzantium is ordering your change from the Feudal Contract system to Royal Preorgatory system as a show of fealty to the Emperor! What do you have to say for your Principality?" Phaidras, who had been sitting in one of the low chairs to the right of the throne platform watched as the Chancellor of the Empire, Ioannes Pahlavuni, spoke up to the Prince, spouting orders from the Emperor himself.

"Chancellor, please understand something. The Principality of Abydos has always held other nobleman and their powerbase in high esteem, as such we cannot change how we feel towards those who are our superiors or inferiors, without the other nobleman, my Principality, and the entire Empire, I am nothing, and so I must honor the Feudal Contract. Also, the Alliances I make are mine alone, and the Emperor should heed word that not all Moslems are the enemy. Infact I have already begun to mobilize, the campaign in the eastern provinces has dragged on for months now, and I can't stand idly by. the Abydosian military and the provincial guard of Abydos, 600 men strong, will be marching from Abydos in two days to attack the Sheikdom of Dwin. SO you can tell your EMPEROR that he will have my help, but I will command my own forces and I will defend what I can, not what the Empire 'needs'. Now get out of my sight! And Tell your EMPEROR that I could do a better job on this throne protecting the Empire than he could ANY DAY!" Prince Theophylaktos snapped at the Chancellor, having gotten up from his throne and moving down the platform, yelling after the Chancellor as he was chased from the main hall. Once the spectacle was over Phaidras began to laugh and praised the Prince.

"My Prince! That was amazing! You just stood up to the Emperor's Chancellor! And you stood up to the Emperor's decrees and even claimed your abilities! You? Emperor of Byzantium? It'd be a sight." Prince Theophylaktos turned back towards the court, looking Phaidras in the eye as a smile crept across his face, an eerie smile of knowledge and intent that Phaidras would come to know and understand in time.

"Yes, Phaidras you are correct. Merzanna, my wife, had only just given me the news of her pregnancy this morning, so I just felt like nothing could touch me. Now then! My court! Let's prepare for war! Phaidras I want you to go and see the marshal personally, inform him of my orders. Edail, I want you to go and ready my wargear and my horse. Chancellor! Leak the rumor of our attack on Dwin to the country-side, let's see how far it gets before we pounce. We march in two days!" Phaidras, Edail, and the rest of the court broke into a flurry of activity and running about, as court members began to line up the Councillary in the Kings absence and the organization of the army. Phaidras had only just gotten out of the keep when Edail had appeared beside him as they mounted their horses, which were kept after by the stablemen, and began to ride off towards the Abydosian Military Training-Grounds.

"Edail, aren't you suppose to be getting the Prince ready for the Campaign?" Phaidras looked over to Edail with a questioning grin.

"Yes I am. But I came across one of the Princes servants and gave him the order instead, citing that if the Prince asked I was called away to fulfill my other duties, namely the ones to you." Edail looked back with a smirk.

"Sounds like you are enjoying the fact that I have obtaiend such a high regard from the Prince."

"Yes, you are right. It is refreshing to see after all these years that you and I are finally being recognized for our contributions, it's just a shame you aren't in line for the throne."

"Well, if anything my father is in line before I am anyways, and with the knowledge that Merzi is pregnant means that we are likely to have a legitimate heir by the time we return from the campaign to the East."

"What do you mean we? You can't mean that you intend to go WITH them do you?"

"That's exactly what I intend to do Edail. The Marshal has been teaching me how to sword-fight, and how to ride during battle. If I'm the court aide, then my place is with the leaders of the court, the Prince and the Marshal. So I will be going with them. You can come with us if you'd like."

"No, I must decline. If you are gone there won't be a voice of the Prince here. The Councillars know me, they'll listen and I'll speak on behalf of the Prince and be the message sender anyways. That way, when you are gone, you will still have a line of commun ication to your father and the court."

"Very well, now come on! We've got to inform the Marshal as soon as possible!" The two teens rode off toward the Training-Ground at top speed, the dust and dirt on the path there was kicked up around them like a cloud, the thunder of hooves intense on the ground.

--------

As the thundering of hooves echoed through his ears and the cloud of dirt and dust began to dissipate Phaidras could see the battle taking place before him. Moslem forces clashed with Abydosian Greeks, the age-old tactics of Alexander the Great echoing in the moves that Prince Theophylaktos had taken. The forces of the Principality of Sinope and the Bishopric of Armenia had taken up flanking positions while the Abydosian military had been driving through the middle of the Moslem ranks.

All of the intense fighting had been in the name of the late Emperor Konstantinos of Byzantium. The Emperor had died at the battle of Vaspurakan, which saw the combined armies of the Imperial Military against the Seljuk-Turks and Mosul. The battle was lost and the Imperial forces were routed as the Emperor took an arrow to the heart and another to the side of the neck. Word had just been sent that Michael Dukas of Byzantium had become Emperor Michael I of Byzantium.

The dust across the battlefield had finally died down as the Moslem forces retreated into the fort of Dwin to try and wait out the invading greeks, catapults raining rocks into the town. Phaidras, seeing that the coast was clear, rode up to Prince Theophylaktos.

"My Prince, you are an amazing tactician and general on top of your already amazing talents as Prince. You are indeed a shining example of true Greek heritage and the Empires glory!"

"Thank you Phaidras, but it was your reccommendation on our way here which gave me the idea for this battle."

"How so my Prince?"

"You had mentioned that in one of the battles that Alexander the Great had participated in that he had ridden from the top of the hill to the enemy forces at the bottom with only a small cavalry contingent. Well I just used the same strategy, just en masse with a dual prong with the help of the armies of Sinope and Armenia."

"Well then, there is more to you than before my Prince."

"That there is. Any news from the court Phaidras?"

"Yes my prince, it seems that the glory of Christmas and the hand of Christ and the age-old gods have given us a gift. My lord, your son Demetrios had been born on Christmas eve. Congratulations my Prince, you have an heir to the throne."

 

[LodossKnight]

JimboIX: Thanks for the comment, yes I thought a Greek King would be an interesting twist, especially considering how the Seljuk's have always overrun Eastern europe by 1150 AD in my other games as a European power, and I wanted to try and stem that tide, and perhaps be part of the device which causes the early collapse of Byzantium in exchange for a united Greco-Arab state that could push back against the threats of the Far east, such as the Golden Horde and the Timurids. But it's not an easy task.

Anyone have any insights thus far? I know all you've seen is the culmination of a single year, but I intend on having Chapter's try to span 2-year increments from this point forward, however if the "year-by-year" look at it is more appealing I can continue down this path, any thoughts?

 

[unmerged(60841)]

The dynasty is secured and the young prince appears to be an intrepid soldier. Good for him. The Seljuks are a vicious beast in CK, good luck trying to create that united state. You'll need it when the Il-Khan and the mongols come knocking. I think a two year approach would be fine, as you've got an awful lot of ground to cover.

 

[LodossKnight]

Prompt for the next few posts.

I've taken a few liberties in this game, mainly dodging a few diplomatic bullets and keeping people from eating me alive way too early on(so yes I've used the byzantine cheat a few times to save Abydos Ass from the Seljuk's and Byzantium itself). Suffice to say that during this countries build up it was based on survival....What I didn't think would happen eventually did...and I had to dodge another bullet in the process. BUT, fear not, the extent of any "cheatery' or other such is not in occurence, but the f'ed up situations I got into make good story. So stay tuned, Sorry for the lack of an update!


Edit-
I will make notes with *'s to denote actions which were taken as a "cheat", but what's more interesting is the consequences of that....

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Looking real nice. Nice read.

 

[LodossKnight]

Thank you Sir Humphrey and thank you JimboIX for reading this! I'm glad at least someone does . Expect an update tonight sometime.

 

[unmerged(60841)]

Looking forward to it

 

[LodossKnight]

Chapter 2

This was an attempt at a slightly different style that would allow me to tackle the two-year period jumps. If this doesn't seem like it'll work or is too bland, let me know! Thanks!

Chapter 2
Victory and Defeat​

February 12th, Year of Our Lord 1068​

Phaidras had been in the Marshal's tent all morning, the blazing sun of desert scorching the earth as the besieging forces of Abydos lay off the siege for a couple of hours. The Hill fort, the puny fortifications that made up the only line of defense against Abydosian troops and the main town, had been under siege for three months and neither wall nor will of the people of Dwin had broken yet. Shortly after the news of the Prince's son, Prince Theophylaktos had made his way off, back to Abydos on the fastest horse possible, with one escort. Now the Marshal, commander of the army until the Prince returns, and Phaidras stood within the tent, both of them bouncing optiosn off each other as they decided what to do.

"Phaidras, nothing we've done is working. It's as if any damage we do to the wall during the day is fixed by the next dawn. " The Marshal, one Alexios Bempetziotes, looked up from the parchment that the map of the fort was on and stared at Phaidras for a moment, waiting for him to speak.

"Then we shouldn't we worrying about what we do during the day then, right?" Phaidras had been staring out the door of the tent, into the blaring sun and desert landspace before them, overlooking the barren campsite with hundreds of tents littered near the oases nearby. He turned to look back at the Marshal dead in the eyes, which caught Marshal Alexios by surprise and caused him to stand back a bit.

"Why, yes Phaidras...I think you are right! We should keep a few small detachments of twenty men each begin sieging the fort by rotation, so that they have no chance of peace and time to repair, that way our troops are rested for any fight that comes our way, AND we'll break their morale!" Alexios came forward and moved the rocks which were situated ont he Map. When he was finished he had produced a new battleplan that not even Phaidras could've thought of. Phaidras took a step forward and looked over the parchment, looking over and understanding the reasons for the strategy. While Phaidras was doing that a Messenger burst into the tent spouting nonsensical words in a jumble of Latin and Greek. Phaidras turned to look at messenger while Alexios approached him.

"Calm down, what is it?" The messenger calmed down and looked at them both, swallowing before he spoke again.

"Word has reached us that the Sheik of Dwin has rallied up Moslems from Albania in the North East! They say they'll be here by the end of the month! And the Prince hasn't arrived yet! No word has come as to his safety or peril from Abydos!" The Marshal looked to Phaidras and he immediately left the tent.

"Messenger, I want you to go to the outskirts of our lines and I want you to inform them that The Court Aide, Phaidras Psellos, will be by to meet with them and split them into siege groups. Inform them of our plan to siege this fort day and night until it is taken, and inform them as well of the Moslem reinforcements, I want them to be prepared for the worst. Do you understand me?" The messenger nodded quickly and without hesitation he disappeared from the tent and out into the desert air, relaying the message across the camp. Marshal Alexios steps out into the scorching sun and looks out to the fort of Dwin.

"I hope the Prince arrives soon, I don't think I'll be able to command them against vastly superior numbers...." He turned and went back into the tent.

March 24th, The Year of Our Lord 1068​

Phaidras burst through the doors of the tent to find the Marshal already packing up. Phaidras had watched as the troops were decimated and had watched as Marshal Alexios and the Prince had retreated back to the camp to retrieve the remaining forces and go intoa full route. The Moslems weren't following them though. Alexios turned to Phaidras, his eyes betrayed his fear and disappointment int he outcome of the battle. Phaidras moved to assist in retrieving what little was of importance before he followed Alexios out to the horses, where they were stuffing the travel satchels with the items they were carrying.

"Marshal Alexios! It wasn't your fault that the battle was lost!" Alexios had just mounted his horse when he turned to look at Phaidras.

"This is no time to be telling me that! Get your horse and let's go! The Prince should be done getting the camp guards assembled and the major supplies equipped. We must leave before the Moslems decide to chase after us." Phaidras watched as the symbol of strength within the Abydosian Military crumbled before his eyes. Alexios had been the best, and was bested by the overwhelming forces of the Moslems, a battle no one could win. Phaidras recalled how it seemed like a neverending ocean as the seven hundred Abydosian's setup a Phalanx and Half Moon defense as hundreds of Moslems fell to Greek swords and spears. But the line broke anyways, Phaidras thought he counted some 20 odd Moslem Columns, or sixteen hundred, as they began to overwhelm the Abydosians on all fronts. As the last of the Phalanx line broke Alexios had withdrawn from the battle, his Second, a man by the name of Maran Kileis, led the final charge and pushed through the Moslem lines to slaughter their commander and leaders, but it cost the entire regiment to do that. Phaidras had seen seven hundred Abydosians, a good many he knew as friends or fathers of friends, or brothers or uncles. They were all gone. The dust whisked by his legs as the wind began to pick up.

"Phaidras! Come on!" Alexios had already headed several meters away and was calling back to him. Phaidras immediately snappedo ut of it and ran to his horse. Once mounted he rode off after Alexios and the Prince, just as the arrows began to land on the tents in the camp, toppling them to the ground. The were now on the run, all twenty Abydosians.

October 19th, The Year of Our Lord 1068​

It had been seven months since the Siege at Dwin. Phaidras was sitting in his room, staring out the window at the ocean, watching the waves as they crashed on the beach, the entire battle replaying in his mind. The demon Moslems overrunning the Abydosian army. the very thought of it brought tears to his eyes, his fist slammed into his table, cracking it, as he stood up and took a deep breath.

"Phaidras? Are you okay?" Edail, having heard the slam, had come to investigate, and was now standing just inside the door of Phaidras' room.

"Edail, they all died...they all died to those demons! Those dirty demons!" Phaidras got up and slammed his chair into the table, causing the chairs top to break and crumple to the floor as he brushed past Edail and out the door. Edail followed Phaidras, who was on his way to the Main Hall.

"Phaidras! Don't go in there like this! If the Prince should see you like this...what would he say? He'd hold you as being irresponsible for bringing such anger to court!" Phaidras turned around and already had his fist ready to slam into Edail's head, but he took a deep breath and refrained, relaxing.

"Edail...I need to go see the Prince. Not for my sake, but for his own....he's been acting more strange than I have been. He's been talking about the ineptitude of the Emperor, and making off-handed mentions of how close to the throne he is. I think he might do something rash..." Edail had been terrified of Phaidras, but now what was being told to him was even more frightening.

"Oh my! Then let's go there right now!" Phaidras and Edail picked up their pace and arrived in the Main Hall within a few minutes. Once they were there they were met by a very pregnant Merzanna, who was well on her way to delivering another child within the month.

"Where's the Prince Merzi?" Merzanna turned to Phaidras with a look that could kill a man.

"He's gone off to Byzantium. A Messenger arrived early this morning, requesting that he come to Byzantium for some important business. He said something about "For the betterment of the Empire" before he set off." Phaidras sighed and turned back to his room.

"Thank you Merzi." Phaidras and Edail pushed open the doors of the Main hall and exited before anymore questions could be asked.

November 27th, The Year of Our Lord 1068​

Through the doors of Main Hall Prince Theophylaktos came, with a smile of triumph and an upbeat attitude. After the Prince had returned from Byzantium some four days ago word had quickly followed him from Byzantium that Emperor Michael had been found dead from an illness that he had caught and succumbed to shortly after meeting with Prince Theophylaktos. Prince Alexios Komnenus of Kappadokia stepped forward to become Emperor Alexios I of Byzantium.

Phaidras, dressed in simple clothing that was dressed with blood, sweat, and water stumbled into the court, clambering over to the feet of his prince before he collapsed.

"My Prince........Your.......Wife....Merzanna...has given......birth....to....a son...He has been named...Leo." Prince Theophylaktos looked down at Phaidras and smiled, helping him to his feet before following him to see his second son.

July 14th, The Year of Our Lord 1069​

The wars that raged across the Empire began to take a toll on its stability. As more and more land was being lost to the Seljuk Menace, nobles at home, who hadn't seen battle, began to murmur of revolt. In early February they had heard the news, the Prince of Dyrrachion, in Hellas, revolted against the Empire. The Emperor, with his forces committed to fighting the rebels in the Upper Helleian Peninsula, had requested assistance in putting down the revolt. With the threat that this might turn into a full scale civil war, Prince Theophylaktos set out in mid February, setting sail for Hellas to march across the land of their forefathers to the revolting Greeks.

Enroute to Dyrrachion, aboard the ship, there had been rumors of Prince Theophylaktos hand in the death of the Late Emperor Michael. Phaidras had made quick examples of the men, letting them hang upsidedown by their ankles for 3 days before they gave up who had told them this. Prince Theophylaktos had dealt with the man personally, and he was never heard from again.

The quick march to Dyrrachion was finished. Phaidras, riding along side Prince Theophylaktos, quickly rode ahead to see the battle that was unfolding before them. The Byzantine Guard, the only regiment sent to put down the Dyrrachion revolt, had crushed the military mustered to defend the town, and had been sieging the town for a month before the Abydosian military arrived. With swift movement the main regiment of Abydos moved forward to reinforce the Byzantine Guard, while Prince Theophylaktos rode off, down the grassy hill, to relieve the Byzantine commander of his post.

While Phaidras looked on he never noticed the puff of dust that was getting rapidly closer to him from the rear, and when he finally heard a voice behind him he nearly lept off his horse. Turning to look he saw a man no older than he, riding a horse and wearing the garb of a messenger.

"Court Aide...I've come bearing a message from Abydos by way of Byzantium. It has been announced that Your princes wife is pregnant. And that if this town is taken while your prince is in command, than he can claim the title for himself, as a gift for his continued service to the Empire." Before Phaidras could even respond the Messenger rode off again.

Turning to look out towards the encampment he caught a glimpse of the Prince on the Horizon, making wild gestures and commanding the troops. With a grin he rode off down the hill towards the camp, to give the prince the good news.

August 22nd, The Year of Our Lord 1069​

The dust was picking up all around as he rode towards the Castle of Hellespont. Edail had been sent on a personal errand of the Prince, and was now riding back from the port after his long journey to Byzantium. As he got closer he increased his speed and blew past the patrol as it was walking along the path. Once he was within the walls of the Castle he jumped off and bolted into the Keep, dodging by people and slipping through little crowdings of people within th Keep of Mysia. It was the Princes birthday, so there were people all over the castle grounds for a day of festivities. When he finally made his way through the maze of people he burst into the Main Hall to see the Prince discussing something with Phaidras near the throne, running over to them and interrupting their discussion.

"Yes...the forces at Dyrrachion were..."

"Prince Theo! Prince Theo! News from Byzantium!" Both Phaidras and Theophylaktos turned to Edail and gave him a concerned look.

"What is it Edail?"

"My Prince! Emperor Alexios I died in Battle against the rebels in Upper Hellas! Romanos Diogenes, the Prince of Ikonion and Thrace, has taken the throne of Byzantium as Emperor Diogenes I!" The Prince stood there for a moment, contemplating the news before he smiled and clapped both Edail and Phaidras on the shoulder, making an announcement that all could hear.

"My people! Abydosians! Greeks! Let it be known that Prince Theophylaktos of Abydos and Dyrrachion, is now first in line for the Throne of Emperor!"

 

[unmerged(60841)]

Interesting, you're definitely hitting the high points. The Prince is in good shape, definitely.