-----------------------------
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.
-------------------------------
Anno Domini 828, October-15
''A marriage, eh? I was just talking about that… with an aristocratic family'', I said, scratching my hair while looking at Theophilos.
''Did you reach an agreement or not?'', he asked immediately.
''I was in the middle of it until you called me. That Kassia, the one who caught your attention at first before you handed over the golden apple'', I replied, running my fingers across my forehead.
''Ah, her… defiant. A determined iconodule. I could not have as a wife someone who openly continues praising icons. I would not recommend that marriage. She would surely be whispering things in your ear about the conflict they are trying to stir. Especially after what we discussed earlier… those icon fanatics were about to sabotage our forces while we were at war'', said Theophilos with great seriousness.
''I will keep that in mind, my basileus rhomaion. I know very well what you said and it is something I must consider at all times when making decisions. The last thing I want is a civil war in the empire. That only creates problems and gives no guarantees for trade'', I replied, calming myself a little.
''I am glad to hear it. And since you made no pact with that group of iconodule fanatics, I ask that you choose one of them as your betrothed. In that way you will bind your dynasty to a family that supports the imperial throne'', he said with a broad smile.
''May I refuse this request?'', I asked seriously.
''What?'', Theophilos replied, completely surprised, his eyes widening.
''You heard me, my basileus rhomaion. All this politics makes me dizzy. I do not like being in the capital and, frankly, this marriage sounds like I will be forced to involve myself in politics. I prefer to be in Crete doing my work, guarding the seas and then protecting the lands you assign to me, or whatever military command you see fit. But I want to remain away from politics'', I answered frankly.
''I expected as much…'', said Theophilos, grimacing and shaking his head. ''You never ask for anything. Unlike other strategoi who, the moment I grant them a post, begin asking for honorary titles or favors to secure their support. You even rejected the idea of a triumph.''
The relatives of Theodora turned their gazes toward me.
''How can he reject that? It is the dream of every military officer. Even I, with my long career, never had such an opportunity. Not even when Michael sat on the throne was I granted that privilege. And he refuses it?'', said the man who seemed to be Theodora's father.
''Yes, very amusing to parade through the streets of the city instead of doing something more productive, like translating a book or improving something in my forge'', I replied, staring at him.
The father simply shook his head.
''I dislike having to do this. I thought this would interest you, considering it would spare you the trouble of negotiating on your own. But this marriage must happen, Basil. I cannot allow the iconodules to win you over. Your own lack of ambition could become a danger if that were to happen'', Theophilos answered.
''So it is an order, Theophilos?'', I asked seriously, stepping closer. The scholai tensed instantly.
Theophilos hesitated for a few seconds. ''Yes. It is an order. The empire must be secured. I will not give the iconodules the opportunity to turn one of my best officers against me'', he finally replied, more firmly.
I looked at him steadily.
''Very well. Then it is done. To refuse would be treason'', I answered seriously.
''As it is also treason to address the basileus rhomaion by name'', said one of the scholai.
''Keep your opinion for when it is asked of you'', I replied without breaking eye contact. ''And at worst it would be a breach of decorum. To call it treason is to look for any pretext to turn a minor slip into a greater problem.''
Theophilos gestured for the guard to withdraw, looking at him sternly.
''Very well… I know you do not like this decision. Let us leave that aside for now. We must focus on remaining united and not creating conflict among ourselves'', he said with a restrained smile.
''Indeed, my basileus rhomaion'', added Theodora's father.
''We agreed that upon marriage you would receive a dowry. Since Theodora's family must already provide a considerable one to the imperial treasury, I will make the payment myself to secure the future household and the proper well-being of your family'', Theophilos continued.
''I understand'', I replied, observing Theodora's sisters.
''So choose the one who interests you most and we will formalize the payment of the ten thousand nomismata. Then we will ask the patriarch to officiate the ceremony'', said the emperor.
I looked at the three of them. They shared the same delicate features, the same refined bearing. They seemed like slightly different versions of their sister.
''Has any of them read anything besides religious books?'', I asked calmly.
The one in the middle nervously raised her fingers.
''Maria, no… not those books. I told you not to mention them again'', her mother whispered, lowering her hand.
''What did she read?'', I asked, stepping closer to Maria.
''Nothing, strategos. Only works of a misguided servant'', the mother intervened.
''Answer him'', Theophilos ordered from behind me.
The father cleared his throat. ''They were only books of a pagan. It was a mistake, Your Majesty. The pagan Aristotle.''
''Her'', I said without hesitation.
''That alone was enough? My stepmother met personally with all the families and held extensive meetings to ensure every quality was most suitable… and you reduce it to a single question?'', Theophilos asked, raising an eyebrow.
''All three must have the same education. The fact that one steps slightly outside the mold already makes a difference. Besides, Aristotle was tutor to the greatest conqueror in the world. To reduce him to a pagan is… an oversimplification'', I replied, restraining myself.
''Good. Then Maria. They will make a fine match. I hope you have many children'', Theophilos concluded.
''Is there anything else I must do? I will go speak with the judge of Constantinople to close the previous matter'', I said, turning toward him.
''Nothing more for now. Later your new father-in-law will speak with you and you may get to know your future wife better'', he replied.
''Very well'', I said, leaving the room.
It irritated me that I had been forced into this. At my age it was already strange not to have been married for years. But an order from the emperor is not debated. To refuse would have meant being set aside from the army, turned into a spectator while others marched to Bulgaria.
I returned to the main hall. Kassia's family was still gathered at their table, while in front of my Varangians a mountain of bones had piled up.
''Basil, you have to hear what they were saying about you'', Sigurd said in Greek, wiping his mouth.
I saw Kassia's father slowly turn his head, the color draining from his face.
''The Varangian speaks Greek'', he muttered, horrified.
Even his daughter tensed at that.
''Let me hear it. What did he say?'', I asked, leaning closer to Sigurd.
''Uf… where do I begin? That you were a filthy peasant without manners. That your victories went to your head. That just because you were given the post out of necessity you are no better than the rest to treat them as inferiors. That your father was a cowardly soldier and your mother a mere mare who never wore a decent dress. And a great many other things about us. If you ask why I was enjoying myself, it was because I was imagining his reaction when I smashed his jaw in'', Sigurd said with a broad grin, looking at Kassia's father.
''I… eh… I believe it would be best for us to withdraw'', Kassia's father said nervously, taking his daughter by the arm.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed hard.
''You may insult me all you like, or my men… but no one… no one speaks ill of my family. You are safe because you stand under the roof of the basileus rhomaion. But the moment you step outside these walls and I find you in the street, I will break your legs so you crawl like the vile leech you are. A living corpse, damned iconodule rat. I will make your existence miserable. Leave my sight now before I decide to beat you to death here'', I said in a cold tone, narrowing my eyes.
Kassia's father did not reply. He took his daughter and, with his relatives, left the hall quickly.
''You showed restraint. I would have tied him up for less. But since you said not to kill anyone, I did not. Otherwise you would have seen his face split by my fists'', Sigurd said, laughing.
''Do you know the scandal that would have caused? I am impulsive when it comes to my family, but not so much as to kill him in front of everyone. That truly would have put me in trouble, even with what I negotiated with the emperor'', I replied, crossing my arms as I sat down.
''Ah, yes… and… oh, thank you'', Sigurd said as a servant approached and set down a jug of beer. Before leaving, she ran her hand along one of the braids of his beard and smiled at him.
''And that?'', I asked, looking at him.
''How should I know? That servant has been very kind to me. She always says things to me, but she speaks so softly I cannot understand her. Is it some court tradition?'', he asked.
''That is not why'', I replied, staring at him.
''Well, what did you negotiate with that Theophilos?'', Sigurd said, switching to Norse.
''I am getting married. I was about to tell Kassia's father that I could not continue negotiating a union between her and me because I will marry one of the sisters of the future basilissa. But this happened. The man only saw us speaking in Norse the whole time, so he assumed you did not speak Greek'', I said, chuckling.
''Yes… I was holding back my laughter. So, do you want us to find him outside and break his legs?'', Sigurd asked. At once several hird raised their fists and struck their palms eagerly.
''I will test how much favor I truly have with Theophilos to see whether he would let me break the legs of a city judge. Though I doubt it. Theophilos adores justice. I do not think he would allow me to do that to a judge… unless he is corrupt. In that case, he would probably let me do it in public'', I replied thoughtfully.
''Well, little can be done to that rat… at least is the woman you are going to marry pretty?'', Sigurd asked.
''From what can be seen, yes… but I do not even know her, to be honest. That is politics, and that is why I hate it so much'', I said, shaking my head.
The Varangians finally stopped eating, satisfied after devouring who knows how many chickens and pigs among them, along with several barrels of beer emptied without the slightest remorse. Ten hungry Varangian guards were enough to shake the emperor's larders.
As I waited for the ceremony to end so I could return to my house in the city, a familiar figure approached once more. The synkellos John Grammatikos.
''Estrategos, from what I see the food has pleased your companions. Forgive the boldness of presenting myself to you so abruptly, but I would like to speak a little about the situation in Jerusalem'', said the synkellos in a serious tone.
''What concerns you?'', I asked, looking at him steadily.
''I spoke with the Ecumenical Patriarch and he expressed his concern that pagans are the ones protecting the holy city of Jerusalem. But my more concrete question is what your plans are for the city'', John replied, calm yet firm.
''To fortify it. Repair the temples. Establish a great port and build several fortifications in the area to protect the pilgrimage. Offer services to pilgrims to safeguard their personal belongings while they travel. Ensure their safety both on land and at sea. And guarantee that no one endangers the sacred work undertaken by those who journey to the Holy Land'', I replied frankly.
''The Patriarch would be interested in financing the reconstruction of the local temples and the destruction of the Sarakenoi mosques. But he needs you to guarantee that the local population is pacified before beginning those works'', said the synkellos.
''I will see what I can do. But first the basileus rhomaion must officially assign those lands to me. For now we speak of assumptions, in case certain conditions are met'', I replied, nodding.
The synkellos gently shook his head. ''This is not something to trifle with. We know that the basileus rhomaion already has his chosen man to guard the holy city. That is why we ask you to take action in those lands as soon as possible'', he said gravely.
''Very well. As soon as I resolve a few personal matters, I will begin preparing everything'', I replied without breaking eye contact.
-----------------------------
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.
-------------------------------