Chapter 554: Troubles in the Heart of the Byzantine Empire

Emperor Vetranis sat on his throne within the city of Constantinople. By his side were the veteran Strategos Palladius and his eldest son Quintus. The three of them were gathered to discuss an important matter which was causing quite the worry among the Byzantine aristocracy.

Their neighbors to the South and East were preparing for a new Jihad, and intelligence reports suggested that the Timur Empire would soon invade of the Kingdom of Georgia, which was Byzantium's oldest ally. Palladius' spy network had gathered this intelligence and thus, the Strategos himself presented the evidence before his King and the eldest Prince of the Empire.

"The Timur Empire has been amassing troops on our Eastern Border. We believe this is in preparation for the Jihad they have planned. However, this is not our greatest concern, rather my informants assure me they will first invade the Kingdom of Georgia and subject them to Muslim rule. In doing so, expand their forces by a great margin.

If we wish to have any chance of defeating the combined onslaught of the Muslim world against our Empire, we will need to ensure the safety and stability of our allies. Austria is currently engaging in a war to unify Germany into a single Empire, and we cannot trust Granada to fight against their own Muslim Brothers.

Georgia must not fall! If she does, then our oldest and closest ally cannot support us in our time of need. Though they have yet to ask for our aid, I fear they are unaware of the threat that amasses on their borders. Your Majesty, we must inform Georgia of the intelligence we have gathered and offer our support!"

Vetranis scratched his chin as he heard Palladius' words. With the maiming of Decentius, the Hawkish faction within the Byzantine Court had lost a tremendous amount of influence over internal politics, and because of this Palladius and his tertiary faction, could assume a much closer role to the Emperor.

Quintus was not fond of this reality. Initially, he had estimated his father would look more favorably upon him, and the doves after his brother's injury. However, this was not the case. Someone leaked the secrets that Berengar had entrusted Quintus to protect and implement within the borders of the Empire. Because of this, his influence had waned substantially. Despite this, he protested Palladius' calls for reinforcing their allies' borders in favor of a more peaceful alternative.

"Father, let us not be rash. War is not inevitable, and though Palladius claims the Timurids intend to invade our lands in pursuit of Jihad, I have yet to see any evidence of these claims. Until the Timur Empire makes their intentions clear, any militant action, whether it is moving our troops to our borders or into our allied lands, could be seen as an act of aggression. I advise we send an emissary to the east, and discuss our difference to see if we can dissuade the Timurids from their hostility towards our allies. "

Palladius merely scoffed when he heard these words. Truly, the boy was too passive. If the Empire was left in his hands, it would be overrun in a matter of years. Sometimes, a pre-emptive strike was necessary, and though they would not be taking overt action against their rivals to the east, securing the Kingdom of Georgia was necessary for the Empire's survival. Thus, he did not spare his tongue as he lashed out at the eldest Prince.

"With all due respect, Quintus, I fear your passivity will be this Empire's undoing. If you are to succeed your father one day, you must understand that military action is often necessary for matters of national security. If Georgia falls, and the Timurids force its populace under the yoke of Muslim rule, our enemies will have more men and wealth at their disposal to aid them in their future conflict with us.

Whether or not you believe it, Jihad is coming. For hundreds of years Muslims have aggressed into christian lands unprovoked, and though the crusades successfully stemmed the tide of their onslaught, all it has done is buy them some time to lick their wounds. Our reconquest of Egypt and Cyrene has enraged our eastern neighbors, and once more they seek to steal the holy land from us!

The movement of troops to the border with the Kingdom of Georgia is a simple proof of this. If we do nothing, we will allow yet another christian kingdom to fall to the Islamic faith. Such a thing harms us all, as that means we have one less ally in this world!"

Quintus snarled as he heard this thorough rebuttal of his pacifistic ways. He simply responded with a casual attack on Palladius' character.

"You sound just like my brother. I am sure you and Decentius have a lot in common..."

This caused a frown to appear on Palladius' face. He could not believe he was being compared to the Hawk's puppet right now, and instead he began to bitterly protest this personal attack.

"Your brother and those fools who support him call for endless war with our neighbors. Such a thing would surely be the death of our empire. Just like your pacificistic tendencies. I represent the balance between the extremes that you two brothers represent. You will never be the Emperor if you continue to cling onto such childish notions."

Quintus curled his fists in rage upon hearing this before lashing out with a venomous retort of his own.

"Oh, so Peace is childish is it? I am truly sorry that I do not wish to send the men of our empire to their untimely deaths, when they can be used to maintain prosperity through labor. There are plenty of peaceful alternatives. War should be the last option of a desperate emperor!"

After hearing both sides bicker like a couple of children, Vetranis pounded his fist upon his armrest, immediately silencing the two men before rebuking them.

"Enough! Both of you! I am Emperor, and I will decide what our policy is in the future. Palladius, you overstep your bounds by commenting on my son's ability to rule!"

When Palladius heard this, he scowled but remained silent. As for Quintus, he had a shit-eating grin on his face until his father lectured him as well.

"Quintus! Palladius is right. Your view of the world is incredibly naïve, and unfit to rule this Empire. For too long now, I have tolerated your pacifistic ideals because I foolishly believed your brother countered your childish beliefs with his own, and the two of you combined could form an effective ruler. Such a thing is no longer a possibility, and it is time for you to grow up!

As Emperor, I will dispatch an emissary to the King of Georgia, informing him we are prepared, and willing to send troops to defend his borders against a potential invasion by the Timur Empire. Palladius, gather what evidence you can on the likelihood of this event, and bring it before me so that I may send it to our allies.

The both of you should reflect on your actions and come to a proper understanding. I swear, all three of my sons are a major disappointment. If I had a fourth option to succeed me, I would gladly take it!"

When Quintus heard these words, he felt enraged at his father. Even the Emperor thought he was a fool for trying to maintain the peace of the world. This immediately caused him to storm out of the room, no longer wanting to hear his father's words of wisdom.

Of course, Palladius was no longer outraged at the scolding he had received. Rather, he saw this as an opportunity to place the idea in the Emperor's head for Alexandros to one day become Emperor. Thus, he made sure all others were out of earshot before putting on a confused facade.

"But, your Majesty, you do have a fourth option. If I recall correctly, your daughter's marriage to the King of Austria is matrilineal. Does that not mean that your grandson has a claim to the Throne? If you are so disappointed with your sons, then perhaps you should focus your efforts on ensuring that the infant Alexandros grows up to be a responsible leader. After all, with a father like Berengar, and the academic prowess of his Kingdom at the boy's disposal, surely he will grow up to be a wise and capable leader."

Vetranis thought about this option for a few seconds as he dwelled upon the candidates that would one day succeed him. Decentius was out of the running, and his youngest son was a hopeless alcoholic womanizer.

Until now, he had only thought of Quintus as an option, but Palladius was right. If he truly wanted the most capable successor, then perhaps grooming his grandson to be the Emperor was the greatest hope he had. After a few moments of silence, the Emperor sighed before giving a vague answer.

"You have given me much to think about, and I will reflect on it with intense introspection. I will let you know my answer when I have thoroughly thought this through. Until then, float the idea to Honoria, and see how she responds."

After hearing this, Palladius smiled gracefully before bowing his head and cupping his hands.

"Of course, your majesty, I will dispatch an agent to Kufstein right away."

With that said, the veteran Strategos was dismissed, and Vetranis was left alone with his thoughts.