The Holy Land.

[Sovereign]

Stretching across the Balkans and the Anatolian peninsula, the Byzantine Empire has regained much of its former power. Due to the various military and administrative reforms, the Empire stands again as one of the dominant force of the near-east. The new Emperor, Constantine XI is already being hailed by the people as the Empire's savior from the Turkish menace. The conquest of the entirety of the Anatolian peninsula seems once again possible after nearly two century of internal strife and military instability. However, since the recent conquest of Jerusalem and the establishment of the Crusader States, the armies of Christendom have been nothing but a thorn to the Empire's side. Not only have they refused to relinquish their captured territories, as agreed with the late Emperor Alexius, their presence could very well squash any ambition of an Empire streching as far as Palestine.

Both sides brought nothing remotely positive to the Empire. For Constantine XI, a temporary neutrality was the obvious choice.

Constantinople was the heart of the Byzantine Empire. It stood not only as the epitome of culture and learning, but as living proof that the glory of the Roman Empire still thrived in the East. Its reputation as the center of the known world was ensured by the lavish contributions of each passing Emperor. Indeed, all of the wealth and all of the glory of the Byzantines was reflected in the splendor of its capital. At the center of all of this beauty, Constantine sat, deep in thought. The new Emperor, cared little for the appearance of his city. For him, the only thing that mattered was the sheer size and might of his Empire. The conflict in the Levant was an opportunity to expand, and as he sat deep in thought he awaited the arrival of the emissaries from the Holy Land. They had much to discuss.

 

[Ols]

The party from Jerusalem was not large, in fact it was not even remotely big. The nobles from his city followed King Olivier I up the road inside the magnificent city. It took a lot to impress the lord of the holy city itself, but this city was as impressive as they came. He rode his horse at a trot up the main rows, his enterage of a few nobles and many knights in tow. He came to the royal palace, guards flanking the door. He hopped off of the horse. He was not wearing a helmet, but a small gold crown, upon his flowing brown hair. His garb was simple for travel but had small hints of richness and true style to it. He walked up to the door, his knights leading the horses to the stables and his nobles following him. He let one of his men announce him,

"King Olivier I of Jerusalem to treat with Emperor Constantine." The guards parted and he walked inside into the glorious entrance hall.

 

[Wing]

The party from the Sultanate of Rum made it's way through the city of Constantinople. Their leader, the Sultan of Rum, Radamand rode on a large elephant decorated with gold rings on it's ivory tusks and blankets of green, gold, and red thrown on it's back for Sultan Radamand to rest on. Strapped around the elephant were ropes that held four posts in place in which a large blanket rested on to provide shade for Radamand. It was normal for Radamand to travel like this as his people were nomads, wanderers.

With the Sultan were five hundred Infantry men, a hundred camels, seventeen horses bearing Radamand's wives, and some of his political advisers. Also were drummer beating large drums. They came to the palace of Emperor Constantine XI. He had some of his Infantry open the doors. A few of his men formed a human ladder to allow Radamand off of his elephant, and onto a chair which had two long posts were four of his men would hold and bring him inside. His advisers, wives, and fifty of his men followed inside.

One of his advisers came forward, and he spoke in Arabic, the drummers were still beating their drums. "Presenting, Radamand, son of Mesud. Sultan of Rum, and the lord of our people."

 

[Imperator]

The Emir of Damascus came into the city of Constantinople with surprising little fanfare. Amajenam felt he needed none. His group consisted of his 100 best warriors decked out in full battle gear with him in the lead riding a purebred red Arabian horse. There was none of the glamour that so many of his peers prefered, but he made up for it through sheer military precision. Each man marching in perfect unison none made any movements other than those necessary. Even he, their leader, did not allow himself to wipe the first inklings of sweat from his brow.

When he reached the door to enter the palace of Constantine XI every soldier and even Amajenam's horse took one final step in unison. Then with no signal the first row of soldiers walked forward while maintaining a marching rythmn and opened the doors to enter the palace. Amajenam then dismounted his horse with the fluidity and precision of a trained rider and marched forward with 50 of his men. The rest divided into 2 groups, one to go and break camp and the other stay here to be called upon if needed.

 

[Cailst]

The Master of the Templar in Byzantium was to visit the Emperor that day. He had previously been going over various holdings in the East Roman Empire. Those holdings were bringing in money for the Templars and were necessary for the survival of the Templars and the Outremer.

However, he did need to see what the others were doing in the capital and what he could do to further the Templar cause for him and the Grand Master.

"This is Maximilien Robespierre, Master of the Templar in the East Roman Empire." He said fairly quietly as the others introduced themselves as he did not have the oratory skills of his future nephew who would dominate France six and a half centuries later.

 

[Lavi]

"Mathias of the Country of Edessa."

The man in question passes through the elegant doorway, gesturing his guards to leave him. The two complied, and marched in sync away from the doors. By no means is Mathias dressed in elegance: his clothes are simple, but striking in their own way.

Stroking the stubble that is forming a sandy blond beard, Mathias stepped to the side and surveyed the present leaders. Like, hopefully, other leaders, Mathias has the intention of maintaining neutrality at the moment. That may change, depending on the attitudes of the others.

 

[The Balance]

Raymond was a simple, pious man, and so his entourage reflected his basic view of life. Riding along on horseback he did not look like a count, just like a normal man. His brown tunic covered his upper section and was tied off with a rope to keep it from falling too low. His pants were just normal black pants, the dirt easily seen on them from a previous wear. The only thing that distinguished him from a normal man was his gleaming crown that proved he ruled over Tripoli. But even that was promptly covered by the brown hood that was attached to his tunic.

His entourage looked like a normal group of knights, their gleaming silver armor was rusted brown in some places, and a red cross could be clearly made out on their chests.

Entering the city Raymond was not impressed by the city, such things would not matter when you went forth into the judgement of god. As he rode through the streets he could see the lavishness of the city, and the yelling of merchant venders attracting customers to buy their goods. A beggar lady seemed out of place in this attractive crowd, but to Raymond there was nothing wrong with her. As he passed by her he handed her a few coins to ease her troubles.

Approaching the palace of Constantine he dismounted his horse, and as the doors swung open in front of him and he thanked the guards. Entering he walked into the great hall of the king and as one of the guards said, "Announcing Raymond the Pious, Count of Tripoli", he slipped him a few coins for it and the man promptly left.

 

[Sovereign]

As the guests entered the main hall, trumpets blared in unison. Every guard and servant fell to their knees. At the far end of the chamber, the Emperor Constantine XI came, flanked by cohorts of his elite Varangian Guard. The Emperor wore a traditional Byzantine Lamellar armor much at the fashion of his own infantryman. Upon his head was no crown nor a fancy helm, but a simple iron circlet, which was the only thing that could have remotely hinted his status as Emperor. It seemed as though Constantine had made a vow of poverty of some sort, for the Byzantine Empire was one of the wealthiest states of all the known world and could very well afford an fancy set of arms for its Emperor.

The Emperor slowly walked towards a large table, and gestured at his guests to join him.

 

[Ols]

King Olivier walked over to the table, nobles following. He waited for the other Lords next to his chair. He bowed his head in greeting to his host,

"Greetings from Jerusalem, Emperor," he said and waited to sit down.

 

[Lavi]

Count Mathias bowed to the Emperor as he made his appearance. He made his way towards a seat of his own selection, stopping behind it. It is common courtesy for the host to sit before the guests do, at least in his own land. "Greetings, Emperor Constantine XI."

 

[Sovereign]

The Emperor greeted his guests and took a seat at the far end of the table. "Please have a seat, we have much to discuss."

 

[The Balance]

Walking to the table, his golden cross dangled from his neck beneath his tunic. Each footstep bringing him closer to the table, no guards or knights followed him for they were all outside the palace. Reaching the table he bowed and said, "I do not humble myself for you, but for god and hope we may settle our differences as equals" Then taking a seat at the table, looked for the first time at the other leaders.

 

[Wing]

Sultan Radamand and two of his advisers made there way to the table. Radamand sat down, and his advisers flanked at his sides and stood up behind him. Radamand spoke in Arabic, "Greetings."

 

[Imperator]

Emir Amajenam had waited for Radamand to sit first so that he could begin negotiations for an alliance promptly. He then walked to the table keeping his strong military stride and sat down at the seat beside the Sultan. He then nodded towards the the Emperor and spoke simply, "Greetings, Emperor."

 

[Sovereign]

The Emperor greeted the rest of his guests and spoke thus to the delegates: "I have gathered you here to discuss the situation in the Levant. Since the end of the First Crusade, negotiations between the two sides have stalled and much has been left unawnsered. However, before we began signing any sort of treaties, I wish to speak plainly to the Crusaders." Constantine paused before turning his attention to the Christian Lords. "Your predecessors have all swore an oath to the Emperor Alexios that all conquered territory be given back to the Byzantine, its rightful owner. However, your oath has never been fulfilled. For years you have refused to discuss this matter plainly, why?"

 

[Ols]

"Emperor, I am King of Jerusalem; and that is my kingdom. It is not huge or vast, like your empire, but a mere state of these lands and a shrine to God, where his son died, and where his followers live. It was Christian Knights of Europe who saved my lands from the Turks and it will be the Christians that defend it from future attack. You cannot be held responsible for your predessecors not being able to conquer these lands in the first place, and we cannot be held responsible for our predessecors lack of loyalty. If you truly wish God's kingdom on Earth to be protected, then you would allow us to keep them safe."

 

[The Balance]

Looking around at the other christian lords Raymond saw none speak up immediately. A hush fell over the room at the emperor's question, why bring up such a touchy subject first. The answer was simple to Raymond, because God did not will it, if God did not will it then it would not happen. But Raymond did not expect Constantine to understand that, and then there were other political reasons that he did not care for, but it was mostly for the people in Raymond's mind. Speaking up first he said, "Emperor Constantine it is with all do respect that I say Count Raymond IV, my grandfather never swore such an oath. I keep my land for my people to protect them and serve them, and because God wills it."

 

[Sovereign]

For a moment Constantine pondered the words of the two Christian Lords. It was obvious that they were fervent believers. However, to Constantine, such blind faith in God was an obvious flaw. In spite of that, the Lord of Jerusalem was right. It would be folly to hold them accountable for the actions of their predecessors. The Emperor leaned back in his chair and considered the Christian King. "I suppose you're right. What is done is done, they say. Let us look at the future now."

 

[Lavi]

((Sorry, my post is late - I'm a Christian lord too))

Mathias remained silent through the conversation. The count is not a very charismatic guy - it is more of his actions than speech that allowed him to remain the Count of Edessa. But he does agree on the account of Jerusalem's King: it is their predecessors who should be questioned of their loyalty.

The Count of Edessa listens closely as the meeting continues.

 

[Sovereign]

With that argument aside, the Emperor proceeded. "As you may all know..." The Emperor continued. "The Byzantine Empire relies on trade to ensure its prosperity. As such, I offer to each one of you a Trading Agreement. Our trading fleet is extremely competent. I am sure we will all profit from this. "