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| A Byzantine Intrigue | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 2 2008, 07:34 PM (191 Views) | |
| Rhadamanthus | Feb 2 2008, 07:34 PM Post #1 |
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Legitimist
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Constantinople, Eastern Empire Radu carefully kissed the Emperor's ring before standing. The Transylvanian Voivode was not educated in the elaborate court protocols of the Imperial Court, but he understood a basic show of respect. He and his forefathers had prided themselves on their Roman ancestry. His people still spoke Latin, in their own fashion, though it was far removed from the formal Latin of the western courts and the Roman Church. His people had called themselves Romans long before the Germans had known of such things, though not for as long as the Greeks. For these reasons, the Voivode was careful to show respect to the glorious and magnificent Emperor of the Romans. He wanted to show that he too was a Roman despite the difference in manner and custom, but he could not shake the sense that the courtiers of the Empire viewed him as more than half a barbarian. The journey had been difficult. He had ridden with a force of his knights through dangerous lands north of the Great River, where the Bulgars were losing influence but the savage Pechenegs ruled. He had crossed the Danube near the Roman fortress of Durostorum. That region had been restored to imperial rule, so they rode safely south from there to the Queen of Cities. When Radu had arrived in Constantinople, he could immediately sense the scorn which even the meanest of townsfolk had for him. What, they wondered, was this unkempt barbarian from a long forgotten backwater doing in the City, the capital of the oecumene, the civilized world? But Radu was no barbarian. He was every bit as Roman as any of them, and he was a noble as well. And most of all, the Emperor had seen fit to send a legate to the Sânpetru Hill inviting Radu the Grim to come to the City, to enjoy the Emperor's hospitality, and to discuss matters of importance. As the Voivode stood up straight, he noted the opulence of his surroundings. However much he may protest to himself, there was a vast difference between the setting that faced him and the undeveloped county that he ruled. Two generations ago, his people had been mere shepherds in the mountains; many of his subjects still were. But he was a Roman and a lord, so he could stand up straight among the aristocrats of the great Roman Court at Constantinople. And stand up he did, as the only man sitting in the room was Basil II, in Christ God Faithful, Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans. "Radu," the Emperor addressed him. "Yes, lord," Radu answered, submissively for the time being. "We have called you here," the Emperor said, "in the hopes that you can be of aid to us in our strategies." Radu leaned closer, as if to hear more carefuly what the Emperor had to say. The Emperor continued, "It is known to you, how for decades and centuries, the Bulgar tribes have vexed the boundaries of the Romans and even struck into the very heart of the Empire. Even after the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius, which converted them to the saving faith and gave them a language worthy of heaven, Slavonic, their appetite for war has not been satisfied." Radu indicated his understanding. He knew of the history of Bulgaria and the Roman Empire of the East. He also knew of the mission, and under Bulgarian influence the Vlachs tended to use Slavonic in their churches. "How may I serve you lord?" Radu asked the Emperor. "We have invited you here to suggest an alliance against the Bulgarians. Your forces are positioned perfectly to strike at Samuil's from the North while we continue to wage war in Macedonia and Thrace." Radu was willing to contribute some of his forces to the Emperor's campaign, but there things he hoped to gain. The Emperor was willing to pay for the use of Radu's men, but insisted that they be placed under Imperial command for the duration of the campaign. For his part, Radu asked for two things: a bride and a bishopric. He wanted a Roman lady for a bride. After some discussion, it was agreed that he would be wed to Zoe, the daughter of a Greek noble. Perhaps, Radu thought, she would bring some manners to his court. While the courtiers rarely liked to see Roman ladies married to barbarians, the Emperor had rendered the official verdict that Radu was a Roman, so that controversy was quickly decided. The wedding would be performed before Radu left the City, and when the way was safe, an Imperial escort would bring her to Sânpetru Hill, along with the officers who would command the men Radu was sending south. Radu's second demand was more contentious. The principle of sending a bishop to Sânpetru Hill was not itself a problem. Radu was not asking for autocephalousy. He did not even ask for a metropolitan seat, though he secretly expected that he would be able to raise his church's status if grew more powerful, as he intended to. The real issue however was the Vlachs' use of Slavonic. This was not a problem in and of itself. It was a problem because the Romans were fighting the Bulgarians, and because the Oecumenical Patriarchate wanted to make more certain its rule in Dacia. It seemed that Elder Rome and New Rome were engaged in a rivalry. Thus, Latin was not acceptable either, though it was Radu's first instinct. It was agreed that a bishop, Cyril, would be ordained for Sânpetru Hill under the condition that the church would use Greek as its liturgical language. Radu agreed to his. Finally, it was decided that once Radu and Zoe had their first child and the boy reached the age when his education was to begin, he would be sent to Constantinople to foster at court. There he would be educated, trained at mental pursuits as well as physical ones, and would learn the elaborate manners of the Greek court. Radu did not want his son to be scorned as a barbarian. His family were Romans, and they would act as Romans. After the negotiations were over, Radu kissed the Emperor's ring again, and backed out of the room. He stayed in the City long enough for his wedding, and afterwards he prepared for the long journey back to the Sânpetru Hill. It was several months after his return that the escort arrived with Zoe, the new Countess of the Sânpetru Hill. Approximately 2000 of his men, half of his professional fighting men, were placed under a Roman commander to join the Bulgarian campaign. |
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11:50 AM Jul 13