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Anno Domini 828,January-18
The journey to Constantinople was relatively quick, and I could already tell that trade was beginning to recover its former glory. Normally, when sailing along those routes, one would see one or two ships along the way. This time, as we advanced, we counted more than thirty vessels during the voyage, moving between the Balkans and Anatolia. Everything suggested that trade had returned to normal, which made me think that soon the emperor might be able to send funds to implement imperial plans and reinforce the frontiers against the possibility of a major invasion from any of the many threatened fronts.
The journey itself was pleasant. Seeing merchant ships far from the waters of Constantinople was a clear sign of economic recovery for the Empire, which could once again trade without constantly worrying about the cursed pirates who had systematically ravaged the seas for years.
The rest of the voyage passed calmly. We sighted no pirate vessels, and the winds were favorable. Even with the strong winter winds blowing, the journey presented no major difficulties. In just over a week, we arrived at the harbor of the Palace of Boukoleon. There, I presented my legal documents as strategos of Crete, and the usual tedious process began: disarming, informing the emperor of my visit, and delivering the loot—hopefully doing so in private and leaving as quickly as possible.
Once my helmet and sword had been handed over, I was granted access to the imperial palace. This time, however, we took a different route. We were not heading toward the usual halls of the palace.
The scholai guided me toward another section.
I remained alert under the gaze of multiple imperial officers who watched my passage, accompanied at all times by my bodyguards, who stayed close.
At last, we reached a chamber of the imperial palace located near what appeared to be a private section. I did not find the emperor, as I had expected, but his son instead. He was seated in a chair, reading several books. When he saw me enter, he closed one sharply and observed me closely, leaning back against the chair.
I prepared to perform the proskynesis to avoid causing problems, as had happened the last time.
''That won't be necessary, strategos of Crete. I asked to see you personally,'' said the heir to the imperial throne, resting one arm on the back of the chair and holding his chin with his hand as he studied me carefully.
''I am grateful for this personal meeting, but I carry an important message that must be delivered as soon as possible to your father, the basileus Rhōmaiōn,'' I replied, stopping short of bowing fully and lowering my head slightly.
''My father, the basileus Rhōmaiōn, is not in the city. He traveled to Anatolia to personally inspect the eastern fortresses, given the possibility of an Abbasid attack, should they consider the attacks suffered in Africa to have been the direct work of the Empire,'' Teophilos replied seriously.
''I see… curious. I was coming precisely to inform the basileus Rhōmaiōn about those same events in Africa,'' I said, forming a faint smile.
''I know it was a mission of a secret nature, so give me the details. We have received envoys from the Abbasids, and they have complained that Tripoli was burned almost to the ground. Nothing remained but the walls and a few stones. Although, well, the envoys sometimes spoke of Roman ships and others they had never seen before, with dragon heads—which must belong to your friends from the north,'' Teophilos said as he reopened his book.
''Yes… we burned Tripoli. We looted it completely, as well as much of the African coast, and we also ambushed several Aghlabid fleets,'' I replied frankly.
''Good… honestly, very good news,'' Teophilos said as he reviewed some figures in the book. ''Why did you pay taxes this year?'' he asked bluntly.
''Uh… well… it was my responsibility to pay my taxes,'' I replied, somewhat confused by the question.
Teophilos raised an eyebrow.''Do you know that my father, the basileus Rhōmaiōn, granted you a three-year tax exemption so that you could use those funds for the reconstruction of Crete?'' he said seriously.
''No… I did not know. I never received any notice that I was exempt from paying taxes… uh… co…'' I replied, trying to recall the proper honorific.
''Caesar. Caesar Teophilos. That is how you are to address me. Well, from what I can see, someone decided to cause you some trouble. We received your tax payment and were… surprised by the amount. At best, we expected only a few hundred coins, considering the current state of Crete after the occupation. Consider yourself exempt from taxes for the next three years, and I will order an investigation to find out who decided not to send you the message,'' Teophilos said, tapping a few numbers in the book with his finger.
''Thank you, Caesar Teophilos, for the magnanimity of the throne,'' I replied with relief at knowing I would not have to pay taxes. ''I also wished to add that I have come to deliver the portion of the war loot corresponding to the imperial treasury, in accordance with the mission assigned by the basileus Rhōmaiōn,'' I added more calmly.
Teophilos raised an eyebrow again.''Let me guess… did you receive only a single papyrus with the letter?'' he said, holding back a laugh.
''Yes…'' I replied, looking at him and beginning to smile as well.
''Ha… a clear reminder that in the capital there are many who consider newcomers a danger when they see them gaining more power than families who have served the Empire for centuries,'' Teophilos said, finishing with a sigh.
''So… what should I do with the loot I have on the ship?'' I asked with interest.
''Keep it. We cannot accept it anyway, and I hope no one knows you are transporting it. The second letter spoke of the importance of not using imperial banners and that all the loot was yours, because otherwise it would imply accepting direct responsibility for the attack as the Empire—which I prefer to avoid. This speaks very well of you, strategos. Leo Skleros has given you a strong recommendation, from what I can see,'' Teophilos said as he rose from his chair and began to walk across the room.
For a long moment, Teophilos remained silent, gazing through the palace windows at the gardens stretching beyond. At last, his eyes settled on me.}
''As you can see, the Empire is bleeding out because of the internal corruption of its elites and the deviation from the teachings of our Lord. Instead of worshipping Him alone, foolish people render devotion to false idols. But most important of all—the true reason why the power of Rome is on its knees on every front—is not because the Empire is weak. We are the most powerful Empire history has ever known. Do you know why?'' Teophilos said as he walked beside me, while the scholai visibly grew nervous.
''Corruption,'' I replied simply.
''Exactly. Falsehoods, intrigue upon intrigue, rebellion after rebellion. Rome bleeds because there are too many idiots who believe they can be emperors. And yes... my father is one of them, that does not distinguish him much from the usurper he replaced. It only deepens the corruption, because there are political favors to be repaid. And my father is not good at politics. He despises it. He never liked it and never will. He is a general—popular with the soldiers, good at delegating—but uncultured. He can barely read or write, and yet he stands at the head of the most powerful Empire in the world,'' Teophilos said, pacing around me.
''He has done nothing but grant power to aristocrats who do nothing except sabotage us. When we need taxes, they withhold them while the imperial coffers stand empty. Or they hide to avoid being found and charged. There are people who abuse privileges no one knows how they obtained, and they use them again and again against the common population, which expects my father—chosen by God to rule by divine mandate—to act. And what does he do? Nothing,'' Teophilos continued.
''Very harsh words for your father, who devoted great resources to your education,'' I replied carefully, aware that this could well be a test of loyalty to the current emperor.
''My father is a general—a lion that has lost its teeth and claws. He was wise to gather power and avoid wars, but when the moment comes, he is afraid to act. He fears another rebellion and allows people to continue abusing imperial authority. Even after accumulating enormous power through friendships and alliances, he fears putting an end to it all. When the Lord finally claims his soul and I ascend the throne, great changes will occur, Strategos Basil. I have the loyalty of several strategoi, like Leo Skleros, and my father expects me to rely on him in the future—but Skleros is an old man, over fifty years of age, a pariah within his own family for refusing to divorce his infertile wife. Without heirs, how long do you think he will live? Another decade? What will it take for him to die in Macedonia against the Bulgars?'' he went on, circling me until he stopped close and fixed me with his gaze.
''I know we began poorly. I tried to humiliate you because I thought you were nothing more than a mercenary, someone without future political importance—and look how wrong I was. The aristocrats fear you because of your privileged position at sea. We are at a critical moment, Basil. When I take the throne there will be instability, and possibly rebellions that will test our strength. But with your help—with everyone's help—Rome can light once more the torch of the masters of the world, eliminate those who attack our borders, enslave our people, and place the Empire at risk,'' Teophilos said with absolute seriousness.
''What do you expect of me?'' I asked.
''That you stay in line, that you fulfill your duty—nothing more. With the support of the strategoi loyal to my father, I will begin sweeping reforms to cut out corruption, punish aristocrats who abuse their privileges, and rebuild our bureaucratic administration to gather funds. It will be the beginning of a new era of expansion, in which we secure our borders, consolidate our lands, and expel all invaders from territories that once belonged to Rome,'' Teophilos said, turning toward his desk and standing with his back to me.
''I need your support. The firmer that support is, the more radical the reforms can be. We will collect taxes without aristocratic abuse, recruit men without them hiding behind legal loopholes, trade will flourish, and our borders will expand as never before. I need to know which side you will stand on. With me… or with my enemies,'' Teophilos said without turning around.
''I have only a few requests. If you guarantee them, you have my support,'' I replied.
''List them,'' he said immediately.
''Ignore the complaints against my Varangians. Clearly they are…'' I began.
''Pagans? Yes, I understand. They will have to convert, but I will not demand it immediately. I can pull strings with the patriarch to prevent it from escalating too far,'' the heir replied.
''The authority to issue letters of marque. The Varangians request the right to raid the enemies of the Empire,'' I added.
''That will not be necessary. If my plans succeed, we will be at war with the Abbasids and their entire coast will be open to plunder. Consider that request granted,'' Teophilos replied.
''In the event of a campaign in Bulgaria, I want to lead it. I have very personal matters to settle there, and there is no better way to do so than with an imperial army at my back,'' I added.
''I cannot guarantee that. A military campaign cannot be assigned as a favor. But if the moment comes and you continue to prove yourself a great commander, consider it done. What else do you want, Basil?'' he asked calmly.
''Nothing more. Only that,'' I replied.
He turned, making a brief gesture.''Only that? Very well. I will consider your wishes when the opportunity arises. My father wished me to deliver the annual allocations for the island of Crete—around twenty thousand nomismata. You will receive forty thousand. Reconstruction is important. He also wanted to send you to Sicily, but I do not believe it is a campaign of your kind. You will not be able to sack or attack Roman populations. If you accept, all Sarakenoi prisoners will be yours, but the equipment must be distributed among the army,'' Teophilos said, looking me in the eyes.
''I will think about it. I have urgent matters in Crete related to reconstruction, so Sicily may not be among my priorities,'' I replied.
''As I said, it is your decision. If you go, good. That said, you may withdraw, strategos, and take the loot with you. If I need to send you a message, I will do so through scholai I trust, so that you do not receive incomplete orders,'' Teophilos said, returning to his seat, opening the books, and gesturing toward the exit.
I left the room and returned to the harbor in silence.
It seems I judged him very poorly… or he is a first-rate actor.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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